HORMONE INDUCED CHILDHOOD HYPERTENSION

This article outlines the various childhood endocrine disorders associated with hypertension . In many circumstances this is due to inadequate sodium excretion although other mechanisms are often involved. A close link with the kidney will be apparent since it is through this organ that the major effects of hormonal control of sodium are manifested although primary disturbances of kidney function may mimic endocrine diseases. The main emphasis will be on the hormonal derangements that can result in high blood pressure. Enzyme deficiecies in adrenals, primary hyperaldostronism, cushing's syndrome, apparent mineralocorticoid excess causes endocrine hypertension in childrens. Some postulate that essential hypertension is caused by an inherited disorder of the kidney to stimulate the production of a sodium transport inhibitor , possibly from the hypothalamus which helps kidney to eliminate sodium but at the ex pence of increasing blood pressure. This should be the case then it might be argued that essential hypertension comes into the category of hormone induced high blood pressure.