Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is associated with vascular lesions, such as
renal artery stenosis, and secondary hypertension. The real prevalence is
largely unknown particularly in children. We observed 27 patients with NF1,
mean age 12.8 years (range 4.2-24 years), for 2-10 years to assess the ass
ociation of NF1 with vascular abnormalities and secondary hypertension. Pat
ients were studied with angiography, 24-h blood pressure monitoring, a capt
opril test, and Doppler ultrasonography of aorta and renal arteries. The pr
evalence of hypertension was 18.5%; 61.5% of patients studied with angiogra
phy had vascular lesions, half of whom were apparently normotensive. Howeve
r; they had abnormal 24-h blood pressure monitoring, which was a first sign
of poor blood pressure control. Those patients with severe hypertension (1
1.1%) were successfully treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty
(PTA): stenosis recurred in 2 of 3 patients after a 2-year follow-up period
, and was responsive to drugs. We conclude that hypertension is a frequent
complication of NF1 in pediatric patients, it is usually secondary to typic
al vascular lesions, and requires careful follow-up Ambulatory blood pressu
re monitoring (24-h) is a sensitive method for detecting initial alteration
s of the blood pressure pattern. PTA may be an effective treatment in this
condition.