COARCTATION OF THE ABDOMINAL-AORTA, A RAR E CAUSE OF HYPERTENSION IN CHILDHOOD

Background. - The majority of children with secondary hypertension hav e a renal abnormality or renovascular lesions. Coarctation of the aort a is also a classical cause, rarely located to the abdominal aorta. Ca se reports. - Two girls, 11 and 12 pears-old were suspected of having recent sustained hypertension. Pulsed-wave doppler ultrasonography and angiography showed abdominal aortic hypoplasia associated with renal artery stenosis, unilateral in one patient and bilateral in the other. Both patients became normotensive 10 and 18 months, respectively afte r corrective vascular surgery. Conclusion. - Examination of the abdomi nal part of the aorta is mandatory in all patients with hypertension.