Aldosterone, plasma renin activity, and aldosterone/renin ratio in a normotensive healthy pediatric population

Abstract

Primary aldosteronism is an important cause of secondary hypertension and is suspected in adults with an aldosterone/renin ratio ≥25. The normal aldosterone/renin ratio is unknown in children. The aim was to establish serum aldosterone, plasma renin activity, and aldosterone/renin ratio values in a healthy pediatric population. A cross-sectional study was performed in 211 healthy normotensive children (4 to 16 years old). Two subgroups of normotensive children were obtained: with hypertensive parents (NH) (n=113) and normotensive parents (n=98). Blood samples for measuring serum aldosterone, plasma renin activity, aldosterone/renin ratio, and DNA were collected. In subjects with aldosterone/renin ratio ≥25, the chimeric CYP11B1/CYP11B2 gene was investigated by long-extension PCR. Results are expressed as median [Q 1-Q3]. NH and normotensive parents groups were similar in serum aldosterone (6.5 [3.6 to 9.0] ng/dL versus 6.5 [2.9 to 9.7] ng/dL; P=0.968) and plasma renin activity (2.3 [1.