Application since 1980 of antihypertensive agents to treat pediatric disease.

Strategies for using antihypertensive agents have changed significantly since 1980. This paper reviews clinical studies devoted to the use of antihypertensive agents in children beyond the newborn period. The availability of converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium channel blockers has significantly improved BP control in children with secondary forms of hypertension. The role of antihypertensive agents to chronically treat primary hypertension in children remains unclear. Additionally, some treatment protocols used in adults that apply to the treatment of hypertensive children and that have been used in the treatment of nonhypertensive disease are discussed. Preliminary studies suggest that the rate of decline of renal function in some forms of progressive renal disease may be retarded by the use of converting enzyme inhibitors.