TITLE:
Epidemiological, Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Progressive Aspects of Arterial Hypertension in Children at the University Hospital Center of Bouaké (Côte d’Ivoire)
AUTHORS:
Richard Azagoh-Kouadio, Yao Kossonou Roland Yeboua, Kouassi Christian Yao, John Patrick Yenan, Iburaima Alamun Akanji, Kouadio Vincent Assé
KEYWORDS:
Hypertension, Children, Renal Pathologies, Prognosis, Côte d’Ivoire
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.14 No.2,
March
21,
2024
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Arterial hypertension (AH) in
children is under-diagnosed and often has a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to describe
the epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of
hypertension in children at the University Hospital of Bouaké, with a view to
improving the prognosis. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, analytical study
carried out in the paediatrics department of Bouaké University Hospital. It
concerned the medical records of children aged 4 to 15 hospitalised from 1
January 2017 to 31 December 2020 for hypertension. Diagnosis was based on the
simplified blood pressure guidelines of the Expert Consensus of the French
Society of Hypertension. The variables studied were epidemiological,
diagnostic, therapeutic and evolutionary. Quantitative variables were compared
at the significance level p ≤ 0.05. Results: The hospital incidence of hypertension was 0.32%
(69/21,642). The sex ratio was 0.72. 97.1% of the children were over five years
of age. Oedema (49.3%) and breathing difficulties (20.2%) were the main reasons for consultation. Hypertension was
classified as threatening (56.5%), confirmed (31.9%) and borderline
(11.6%). The cause was renal in 66.7%,
dominated by impure nephrotic syndrome (24.6%). Treatment for
hypertension consisted mainly of a diuretic (79.7%) and a calcium channel blocker (47.8%). Outcome was favourable in 50.7% of
cases. Mortality was 20.3%. No factor
was significantly associated with death. Conclusion: Hypertension in children at Bouaké University Hospital is serious. The
aetiology is mainly renal. Early diagnosis and management are key to improving
prognosis.