RESEARCH ARTICLE Racial Differences of Pediatric Hypertension in Relation to Birth Weight and Body Size in the United States

Background The prevalence of hypertension is known to differ by racial group in adults in the United States (US), but findings in children are scarce and inconsistent. The objective of this study was to assess the racial differences in pediatric hypertension and to explore whether these differences, if any, can be explained by low birth weight (LBW) and obesity. Methods Analyses were performed for participants aged 8–17 years (N = 9,250) included in the 1999–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Multivariate logistic regres-sions and weighted analysis were carried out considering the complex survey design. Results Compared to non-Hispanic White youth, the crude prevalence of hypertension was signifi-cantly higher in non-Hispanic Blacks (7.1 % vs. 5.6%; P = 0.04), but not in Mexican Ameri-cans (5.4 % vs. 5.6%; P = 0.77). Blacks also had higher rates of LBW (14.6 % vs. 5.9%; P <0.001) and obesity (22.9 % vs. 15.8%; P <0.001) than Whites. In stratified analysis b