This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Recent studies showed that nighttime hypertension as determined by ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) occurs almost universally in both adults and children after renal transplantation (Tx). We hypothesize that after renal Tx, increased nighttime BP in children who had normal office BP, will be associated with hypertension-related end-organ damage such as increased left ventricular mass (LVM), increased arterial stiffness and decreased kidney function. If nighttime BP is a better predictor of target organ damage than office BP, the use of ABPM would detect patients at risk and provide the rational guideline for therapy. To test this concept, we will assess in children with renal Tx cardiovascular structure and function and allograft function at baseline and after one year. Cardiac structure will be evaluated by measurement of LVM, vascular structure and function by measurement of carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and allograft function by measurement of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). These measurements will be correlated with multiple variables, the most important of which will be daytime and nighttime BP as measured by ABPM. Hypertension is a strong and independent risk factor for poor long-term outcome in adults and children with renal Tx. It is hoped that improved detection of hypertension by 24-hour ABPM, especially nighttime hypertension, will lead to more effective treatment which will prevent or slow the progression of cardiac disease and allograft dysfunction. Thus, the long-term goal will be to decrease the incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular disease and delay graft failure in children and young adults with renal Tx.
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