RELATION BETWEEN SERUM URIC-ACID AND BLOOD-PRESSURE IN ADOLESCENTS

In adults, serum uric acid is positively associated with blood pressur e levels. It is also a predictor of the development of hypertension in normotensive adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the rel ation of serum uric acid to systolic and diastolic blood pressure in a dolescents. The data, from Cycle III of the National Health Examinatio n Survey, consisted of a national probability sample of 6768 youths, 1 2-17 years old, in the United States. With age, height, weight, and se xual maturity controlled, serum uric acid significantly predicted bloo d pressure in adolescents. This relationship of uric acid and blood pr essure was evident in male, but not female, adolescents. In associatio n with findings from adult studies, these results indicate that uric a cid levels may be useful indicators of adolescents at risk for hyperte nsion.