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Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in Children and Adolescents

  • Pediatric Hypertension (C Hanevold, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, or PRES, is a constellation of severe, acute hypertension and specific brain imaging findings. This may be caused by failure of the cerebral autoregulatory system to manage acute or severe changes in blood pressure. The incidence in children is unknown but estimated to be more common in children with predisposing factors including renal disease, autoimmune disease, malignancy, solid organ transplantation, stem cell transplantation, hypertension, sepsis, and exposure to certain medications.

Recent Findings

Management of PRES includes addressing hypertension, removing offending agents when possible, and anti-epileptic medications.

Summary

Most children with PRES recover completely, but recurrence is possible. Lack of resolution of imaging findings likely portends a worse prognosis.

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Data Availability

No datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: •  Of importance

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Acknowledgements

Stein DS has received honoraria from Horizon Pharmaceuticals. Halbach, SM has received royalty payments from UpToDate and honoraria from Worldwide Clinical Trials and Horizon Pharmaceuticals.

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SH and DS contributed equally to the development of the manuscript (conception, literature search, writing, and review).

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Correspondence to Susan M. Halbach.

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Halbach, S.M., Stein, D. Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in Children and Adolescents. Curr Hypertens Rep (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-024-01303-6

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