Hypertension in Pediatric Dialysis Patients: Etiology, Evaluation, and Management

Raj Munshi, Joseph T. Flynn

Review epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management of hypertension in the pediatric dialysis population. Interdialytic blood pressure measurement, especially with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, is the gold standard to assess for hypertension. Tools to assess dry weight aid in achievement of euvolemia, the primary therapy for management of hypertension. Persistent hypertension should be treated with antihypertensive medications and potentially with native nephrectomies. Cardiovascular disease continues to be the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in the dialysis population with hypertension as an important modifiable factor. Achievement on dry weight and limiting both aggressiveness of interdialytic weight gain and ultrafiltration rate underlie the best approach. Tools to assess volume status beyond clinical assessment have shown promise in achieving euvolemia. When hypertension persists despite achievement of euvolemia, antihypertensive medications may be required and in some cases native nephrectomies. Future studies in children are needed to determine the best antihypertensive class and ideal rate of ultrafiltration on hemodialysis towards achievement of normotension and reduction of cardiovascular risk.