Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: Relation of age and obesity in children

The relation between obesity and age in children with idiopathic intracrani al hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri) has remained uncertain. The authors r eviewed the records of 45 consecutive children with newly diagnosed idiopat hic intracranial hypertension seen at two medical centers. Forty-three perc ent of patients aged 3 to 11 years were obese, whereas 81% of those in the 12- to 14-year age group and 91% of those in the 15- to 17-year age group m et criteria for obesity (p = 0.01). Younger children with idiopathic intrac ranial hypertension are less likely to be obese than are older children or adults.