Understanding pediatric hypertension and its effects on the body

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study investigates the roles of various components of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in children aged 7-18 with newly diagnosed primary hypertension. Over a two-year period, researchers will collect blood and urine samples and measure blood pressure, heart structure and function, kidney function, and other health indicators. The study aims to identify phenotypic and treatment response variability among participants and to explore the causal relationships between these components and target organ damage. Healthy control participants will also be recruited for comparison.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

INCLUSION CRITERIA: HYPERTENSION COHORT

* 7-18 years of age at time of enrollment
* Confirmed new diagnosis of primary hypertension: no identifiable secondary cause, referred to hypertension or nephrology clinic

  * Age \<13 years: BP ≥95th %ile or ≥130/80 mmHg (whichever is lower)
  * Age ≥13 years: BP ≥130/80 mmHg
* Participants and their caregivers must be willing and able to commit to completing the study assessments

EXCLUSION CRITERIA: HYPERTENSION COHORT

* \<7 years or \>18 years of age at time of enrollment
* BP confirmed as normal or in the elevated BP category based on ≥3 prior office BP measurements on separate days;

  * Age \<13 years: BP \<95th %ile or \<130/80 mmHg (whichever is lower)
  * Age ≥13 years: BP \<130/80 mmHg
* A confirmed secondary cause of hypertension
* Confounding medical condition (heart or kidney disease \[except hypertension-associated heart changes on echocardiogram or albuminuria\], vascular/inflammatory disease, or diabetes)
* Inability to complete study assessments
* Non-English/Spanish speakers
* Current pregnancy
* Ward of the State

INCLUSION CRITERIA: CONTROL COHORT

* 7-18 years of age at time of enrollment
* Normal BP based on ≥3 prior office BP measurements on separate days;

  * Age \<13 years: BP \<90th %ile or \<120/80 mmHg (whichever is lower)
  * Age ≥13 years: BP \<120/80 mmHg
* Participants and their caregivers must be willing and able to commit to completing the study assessments

EXCLUSION CRITERIA: CONTROL COHORT

* \<7 or \>18 years of age at time of enrollment
* Elevated BP or hypertension, based on ≥3 prior office BP measurements on separate days:

  * Age \<13 years: BP ≥90th %ile or ≥120/80 mmHg (whichever is lower)
  * Age ≥13 years: BP ≥120/80 mmHg
* History of elevated BP or hypertension
* Current use of BP-lowering medications
* Confounding medical condition (heart or kidney disease, vascular/inflammatory disease, or diabetes)
* Inability to complete study assessments
* Non-English/Spanish speakers
* Current pregnancy
* Ward of the State

Where it's running

• Wake Forest Health Sciences
  Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Andrew M South, MD, MS — Wake Forest Health Sciences
• Study coordinator: Andrew M South, MD, MS
• Email: asouth@wakehealth.edu
• Phone: 336.716.9640

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Understanding how ADT for prostate cancer may raise blood pressure and whether nerves or kidneys are involved

  This study tests whether nervous system or kidney dysfunction contributes to high blood pressure in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.

  Recruiting Phase 4 Virginia Commonwealth University · Richmond, Virginia · NCT07848828

• How blood pressure and heart rate respond to standing and exercise in healthy people and those with high blood pressure

  See if blood pressure, heart rate, and arterial stiffness during standing and graded bike exercise differ between healthy young adults and older adults with controlled high blood pressure, including those with orthostatic problems or diabetes.

  Recruiting University Medical Centre Ljubljana · Ljubljana · NCT07482462

• Providing tailored produce boxes and nutrition education for Veterans with chronic kidney disease

  This pilot will test whether delivering culturally and medically tailored produce boxes plus nutrition education helps Veterans with stage 3b–4 chronic kidney disease who have food or nutrition insecurity.

  Recruiting VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System · Aurora, Colorado · NCT07194733

• NightWare use for cardiovascular health in women with PTSD-related nightmares

  This study tests whether NightWare can improve heart and kidney health biomarkers in premenopausal women who have PTSD-related nightmares.

  Recruiting at 2 sites University of Colorado, Denver · Aurora, Colorado and 1 other locations · NCT07021014

• Using low-dose aspirin after preeclampsia to improve recovery

  This study is testing if taking low-dose aspirin for six months after having preeclampsia can help new moms recover better by improving their blood pressure and blood vessel function.

  Recruiting Phase 4 University of Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · NCT06281665

• Effects of a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist on heart function in hypertensive patients

  This study is testing if a heart medication called eplerenone can improve heart function better than another medication in people with high blood pressure and thickened heart muscles.

  Recruiting Phase 4 Brigham and Women's Hospital · Boston, Massachusetts · NCT05593055

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.