Authors

10.22034/ijos.2020.121222

Abstract

Background: Secondary hypertension in newborns and children may occur in many conditions including trauma and extremity fractures. This study was undertaken in two hospitals of Shiraz to determine the prevalence of hypertension among children undergoing orthopedic procedures.Methods: Sixty children (34 boys, 26 girls) aging 3-14 years old were cases of 7 clubfeet, 35 femoral fractures, 5 developmental dislocation of hip, 2 poliomyelitis, 3 pelvic fracture, 3 congenital short leg, and 5 miscellaneous conditions were studied in a six month interval. Blood pressures were measured.Results: Hypertension was observed in 30 children in age groups of 3-14 years old from the second to fourth day after orthopaedic surgery, without any previous history of hypertension. Severe hypertension was demonstrated in 4 boys and 2 girls and returned to normal after changing of the traction angles and alignments of fixators. 24 cases had moderated increase in blood pressure that was normal on sixth post operative day. Femoral shaft fractures treated with skeletal traction, postsurgical casting of clubfoot deformities and leg-lengthening with external fixator were the top three causes of such findings.Conclusions: Secondary hypertension may happen among children undergoing orthopaedic procedures and needs careful monitoring.

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