Nifedipine in hypertensive crises of infants and children.

Nifedipine given by the sublingual route has been used in the treatment of 30 hypertensive emergencies in 20 children suffering from renal disease. The mean dosage of nifedipine was 0.33 mg/kg body weight. In 20 hypertensive crises occurring in 16 patients a single dose of nifedipine was sufficient to lower systolic as well as diastolic blood pressure significantly within 90 min. for a period of 4 to 12 hours. No side effects were noted with the exception of a transient flush in one patient. Nifedipine proved to be suitable for the primary treatment of hypertensive emergencies in children suffering from renal hypertension. The advantages of nifedipine compared to other drugs used for treating hypertensive crises is the rapid onset of the antihypertensive action without need for an intravenous form of administration.