RELATIONSHIP OF RENAL SIZE, BODY-SIZE, AND BLOOD-PRESSURE IN CHILDREN

Somatometric parameters, renal size, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were studied in 406 patients referred to pediatric nephrology and uro logy clinics. These patients included 269 females (66%), 67 African Am ericans (17%), and 87 patients with essential hypertension (21%). Z sc ores for the study population were comparable to published standards f or height, kidney length, and SEP. Weight and body mass index scores w ere significantly greater than predicted from the standards, especiall y in the subset of patients with essential hypertension. Age, height, weight, body mass index, kidney length, and SEP all correlated with on e another; however, on multiple regression analysis of SEP with the ot her five independent variables, only weight proved to have a significa nt correlation. Furthermore, the relationship of kidney length with SE P was positive and hypertensive patients had greater kidney size than published standards. These data do not support reduced kidney size in the population with essential hypertension, nor is there support for a convincing correlation between kidney length and SEP in the general p ediatric population. Body weight correlates best with blood pressure. These findings warrant further study in a less-select population. Prev ention and treatment of obesity may thus be of prime importance in add ressing hypertension in children.