Advancing Pediatric Hypertension: Mechanism Insights, Clinical Trials and Innovation.

Abstract

Pediatric hypertension (PH) is an emerging global public health issue, increasingly linked to genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Early-onset hypertension is associated with progressive long-term cardiovascular problems. This overview outlines the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, treatment modalities, and current clinical studies related to hypertension in children and adolescents. A methodical search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using specific preset keywords. Recent high-quality peer-reviewed studies, trials, and reviews from the past decade were highlighted. The primary factors are genetic predisposition, renal artery stenosis, activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), obesity, metabolic syndrome, and sodium excess. Treatment involves lifestyle modifications and pharmacological intervention with ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, and diuretics. Recent clinical trials have provided insights into the safety and efficacy of therapies. The effective management of pediatric hypertension relies on prompt identification and individualized treatment. In future studies, priority should be given to precision medicine, long-term follow-up data, and the utilization of technological resources for surveillance.