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Severe visual loss caused by unrecognized malignant hypertension in a 15‐year‐old girl
Author(s) -
Cortina Gerard,
Hofer Johannes,
Giner Thomas,
Jungraithmayr Therese
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
pediatrics international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.49
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1442-200X
pISSN - 1328-8067
DOI - 10.1111/ped.12525
Subject(s) - medicine , hypertensive retinopathy , left ventricular hypertrophy , girl , retinopathy , blood pressure , visual acuity , muscle hypertrophy , cardiology , kidney , end organ damage , renal function , pediatrics , surgery , endocrinology , diabetes mellitus , psychology , developmental psychology
A 15‐year‐old girl presented with acute bilateral loss of central visual acuity due to hypertensive retinopathy level IV . She was found to have unrecognized malignant arterial hypertension associated with end‐stage renal failure. At the time of diagnosis she also had severe left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Hypertension was successfully treated with combined anti‐hypertensive therapy, but renal function did not recover. The patient underwent successful kidney transplant 4 months later and over a period of 20 months hypertensive retinopathy and LVH gradually resolved. This report emphasizes the importance of routine measurement of blood pressure and describes the possible consequences of unrecognized arterial hypertension in children. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are necessary to avoid development and progression of target organ damage and promote better long‐term cardiovascular prognosis.