ABSTRACT

Hypertension may be seen in 2% of all infants cared for in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU). Recent studies have provided new normative data that may be used to facilitate identification of neonatal hypertension. Common causes of hypertension in neonates include thromboembolic events, aortic coarctation, renal malformations, renovascular disease and certain medications. Therapy of neonatal hypertension should be appropriate for the underlying cause and the severity of the hypertension. A wide range of therapeutic agents are now available for management of neonatal hypertension in both the acute and chronic settings. In most cases hypertension will resolve, but some infants may require prolonged treatment.