ABDOMINAL SYMPTOMS AS PRESENTATION OF HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS

Objective.-To describe a series of patients in hypertensive crisis who presented primarily with abdominal symptoms. Design.-Patient reports. Setting.-Referral center after initial presentation in the general co mmunity. Participants.-Three children, aged 10 months to 4 years, in h ypertensive crisis who presented with abdominal symptoms that promptly resolved and did not recur with blood pressure control. Conclusions.- Blood pressure should be measured in all children undergoing physical examination; particular attention should be paid to the blood pressure of patients with unexplained abdominal symptoms before extensive diag nostic testing is pursued.