To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: FDA Approves Diovan® for Treatment of High Blood Pressure in Children URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/218666.htm Doctor's Guide December 3, 2007
EAST HANOVER, N.J. -- December 3, 2007 -- Diovan® (valsartan), an angiotensin receptor blocker or ARB, has been approved following a priority review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of high blood pressure in children and adolescents ages six to 16. High blood pressure has become a multigenerational health issue. Thirty percent of American adults are currently living with high blood pressure and now there are reports that nearly five percent of children and adolescents may have this condition(1). Experts suggest that the increase in incidence of high blood pressure among children and adolescents is linked to the growing pediatric obesity epidemic(2,3). Based on the National Health and Nutrition Surveys (NHANES), the percentage of overweight children (six to 11 years old) increased from 13.8% to 16.0% between 1999 and 2004, while the share of overweight adolescents (12 to 19 years old) rose from 14.0% to 18.2% during the same period(4). No relevant differences were identified between the adverse experience profile for pediatric patients aged six to 16 and that previously reported for adult patients. Diovan is not indicated for treatment in children under six years old. REFERENCES: (1) Sorof J, Lai D, Turner J, et al. Overweight, ethnicity and the prevalence of hypertension in school-aged children. Pediatrics 2004;113:475-482. (2) Ford ES, et al. Trends in Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease Among Children and Adolescents in the United States. Pediatrics. 2004;114:1534-1544. (3) Ogden CL, et al. Prevalence and Trends in Overweight Among US Children and Adolescents, 1999-2000. JAMA. 2002;288:1728-1732. (4) Hayman L, Meininger J, Daniels S, et al. Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Nursing Practice: Focus on Children and Youth. A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association Committee on Atherosclerosis, Hypertension, and Obesity in Youth of the Council on Cardiovascular Disease in the Young, Council on Cardiovascular Nursing, Council on Epidemiology and Prevention, and Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism. Circulation 2007; 116; 344-357. SOURCE: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.