Renal resistive index significantly increased in hypertensive children and it is independently related to the pulse pressure and left ventricular mass index.

Background: To the best our knowledge there is no data in the literature related to changes in renal resistive index (RRI) values in children who have hypertension (HT). In this study, we aimed to investigate the changes of RRI values and it is usability in children with HT. Methods: A total of 75 children; 48 with newly diagnosed HT and 27 healthy controls were included in the study. Routine history, physical examination, and laboratory examinations were performed. Left ventricular (LV) dimensions and systolic-diastolic functions, septum and posterior wall thickness (IVSd and PWd) and LV mass index (LVMI) were calculated by echocardiography. In addition to routine renal ultrasonography (US), renal pulsatility indexes (RPI), accelerated time and RRI were measured. Increased RRI was accepted as >0.70. Results: Increased RRI was detected in 25 (52%) of HT patients. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), and pulse pressure (PP), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels, RRI, RPI, kidney length, IVSd, PWd, and LVMI were significantly higher in patients with HT (both p < 0.05). SBP and PP, PWd, LV ejection fraction, LV fractional shortening, and LVMI were positively correlated with the RRI. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol was negatively correlated with the RRI. Of these measurements, RRI values were found to be independently associated with PP and LVMI (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In hypertensive children, RRI was significantly higher than healthy controls and it is also related with LVMI and PP.