Infants with high blood pressure are more vulnerable to eye problems-ANI

Washington DC [USA], July 5 (ANI): A new study suggests that infants with narrow retinal artery diameters are more likely to develop hypertension, which predisposes them to retinal microangiopathy in early childhood.
The first study to show this relationship in children was published today in the American Heart Association journal Hypertension.
Hypertension, a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD), can manifest as early as childhood, and the prevalence of hypertension in children continues to increase. In previous studies, retinal vascular analysis has shown potential as a predictor of CVD risk in adults. A study titled “Advancement of Retinal Vascular Diameter and Blood Pressure in Children” sought to predict the development of hypertension in children over four years based on measurements of retinal vessels.
“Hypertension continues to be a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease and mortality,” said Henner Hansen, MD, lead author of the study and professor of sports, exercise and health at Basel University in Switzerland. .. “We need a primary preventive strategy that focuses on retinal microvascular health and blood pressure screening in young children to identify those at high risk of developing high blood pressure. Treatment and lifestyle changes to reduce high blood pressure are needed. These kids will be able to carry out early.”
In 2014, the researchers screened 262 children aged 6 to 8 from 26 schools in Basel, Switzerland, for baseline blood pressure and retinal artery measurements. Both measurements were made again in 2018. Both baseline and follow-up blood pressure measurements were taken in a sitting position after a minimum of 5 minutes rest and classified according to the American Academy of Pediatrics blood pressure guidelines. These guidelines utilize the same measurements as the American Heart Association/American Heart Association 2017 Guidelines for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of Adult Hypertension.
The results of the analysis show that:
-Children with narrow retinal vessel diameter at baseline had higher systolic blood pressure at follow-up.
-Retinal vessel diameter may explain 29-31% of the changes in systolic blood pressure progression between 2014 and 2018.
-Children with high blood pressure levels at baseline had significantly narrowed arteriole diameters at follow-up, depending on weight and cardiopulmonary function. And
-Initial blood pressure measurements accounted for 66-69% of changes in retinal arteriole diameter from baseline to follow-up.
“An early childhood assessment of retinal microvascular health and blood pressure monitoring can improve cardiovascular risk classification. A timely primary prevention strategy for children at risk of developing hypertension is It could offset that increased burden for both children and adults,” Hansen said.
Researchers did not take into account the “white coat” hypertension, a condition in which patients exhibit high blood pressure when measured in the medical setting, because the limits of their study could not confirm 24-hour blood pressure measurements. I pointed out that it is included.
Developmental stages, including the adolescent status of each child, as well as genetic factors or variables related to birth weight-blood pressure development and microvascular health, are not considered.
In addition, there is currently no reference value for an appropriate retinal vessel diameter in children, so further work is needed to determine the normal age-related values ​​in childhood. (Ani)