Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Practice Exam

What is the most common cause of hypertension in infants?

1. Endocrine disorders

2. Intrinsic renal disease

3. Umbilical artery catheter complications

4. Congenital heart defects

The correct answer is: Intrinsic renal disease

The most common cause of hypertension in infants is intrinsic renal disease. This condition arises due to various factors impacting the kidneys, which can include structural abnormalities, infections, or developmental issues that lead to impaired kidney function. The kidneys play a critical role in regulating blood pressure through the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and when their function is compromised, it can lead to elevated blood pressure levels. Intrinsic renal disease encompasses a broad spectrum of conditions that can affect infants, such as congenital anomalies of the kidneys, glomerulonephritis, and acute kidney injury. These conditions result in altered fluid and electrolyte balance, which directly influences blood pressure regulation. While endocrine disorders, umbilical artery catheter complications, and congenital heart defects can also lead to hypertension in infants, they are less frequently encountered in the neonatal population compared to intrinsic renal disease. Endocrine disorders like adrenal hyperplasia can contribute, but they are not as predominant. Complications from umbilical artery catheters are also a consideration but tend to be more related to individual cases rather than a widespread cause. Congenital heart defects can lead to systemic effects that influence blood pressure, yet their prevalence in relation to intrinsic renal issues makes the latter the most common cause of hypertension