SEARCHNARRATIVE_REVIEWpediatrics, epidemiology

narrative_review·pediatrics, epidemiology, public health, cardiology, family medicine·PMC10491553

Detecting and Managing Childhood Onset Hypertension in Africa: A Call to Action

Current Hypertension Reports · 5 authors, 4 centres

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TL;DR

This narrative review summarizes the limited data on childhood hypertension in Africa, noting wide prevalence ranges and major gaps in diagnostic tools and treatment guidance. It calls for collaborative research and policy development to address this growing public health concern.

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This narrative review synthesizes recent evidence on childhood hypertension across Africa. It found that only 15 of 54 African countries reported on absolute blood pressure measures or hypertension, with reported prevalence ranging from 0.0 to 38.9%. The review highlights critical methodological challenges, including the lack of validated African-specific childhood blood pressure nomograms and the reliance on guidelines developed for other populations. It emphasizes that no recent data inform the use or effectiveness of antihypertensive agents in African children and adolescents. The authors conclude that collaborative research, resources, and policies are urgently needed to address the detection and management of this burgeoning public health concern, but note that limited access to healthcare and inadequate resources for screening remain major barriers.

STUDY TYPE

narrative_review

SPECIALTY

pediatrics

SUMMARISED BY

AI pipeline

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100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10491553

Detecting and Managing Childhood Onset Hypertension in Africa: A Call to Action

Current Hypertension Reports

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ABSTRACT

Purpose of Review To review recent evidence on childhood hypertension across Africa, identifying knowledge gaps, challenges and priorities, and highlight clinical perspectives in managing primary hypertension. Recent Findings Only 15 of the 54 African countries reported on absolute blood pressure (BP) measures, elevated BP, pre- and/or hypertension. The reported hypertension prevalence ranged between 0.0 and 38.9%, while elevated BP and/or pre-hypertnesion ranged from 2.7 to 50.5%. Childhood BP nomograms are lacking across Africa and the rates of hypertension were based on guidelines developed in countries with the lowest to no number of children from African ancestry. The recent studies across Africa also showed little to no detail when reporting BP specific methodology. No recent data informing the use or effectiveness of antihypertensive agents in children and adolesents are available. Summary Childhood hypertension is on the rise, while data from Africa remains vastly under-represented. Collaborative research, resources, and policies need to be strengthened in addressing the growing public health concern of childhood onset hypertension on this continent.

CITATION EXPORT

A. Craig, Y. Breet, L. F. Gafane-Matemane et al.. Detecting and Managing Childhood Onset Hypertension in Africa: A Call to Action. Current Hypertension Reports. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-023-01247-3

AUTHORS

5 · 4 CENTRES

A. Craig, Y. Breet, L. F. Gafane-Matemane, S. A. Norris, R. Kruger

1grid.11951.3d0000 0004 1937 1135SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
2grid.25881.360000 0000 9769 2525Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520 South Africa
3grid.25881.360000 0000 9769 2525MRC Research Unit for Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
4grid.5491.90000 0004 1936 9297School of Human Development and Health, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK