Hypophosphatemia Research Reveals High Blood Pressure and Obesity Link in Pediatric Patients

Strategic Insights -

In a new study on X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH), researchers at the Graduate School of Medicine discovered that some pediatric patients with the condition exhibit high blood pressure, and body mass index standard deviation score (BMI-SDS) may be a risk factor. The study, published in the Endocrine Journal, analyzed data from the SUNFLOWER study, a longitudinal observational cohort study of patients with XLH in Japan and South Korea.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that 6.8% of pediatric patients with XLH were at or above the 95th percentile for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 11.4% were at or above the 95th percentile for diastolic blood pressure (DBP) after height adjustment.
  • Age-adjusted blood pressure was positively correlated with BMI-SDS, indicating a potential link between obesity and high blood pressure in pediatric patients with XLH.
  • The study's results suggest that some pediatric patients with XLH may be at risk for high blood pressure, and that a high BMI-SDS may be a contributing factor.
  • The study included 45 participants, with 40 being eligible for the subgroup analysis after excluding one patient with missing BP data.
  • The research concluded that further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between BMI-SDS and blood pressure in pediatric patients with XLH.

Statistics:

  • 6.8% of pediatric patients with XLH were at or above the 95th percentile for systolic blood pressure (SBP) after height adjustment.
  • 11.4% of pediatric patients with XLH were at or above the 95th percentile for diastolic blood pressure (DBP) after height adjustment.
  • 44 patients were evaluated after one patient with missing BP data was excluded.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Researchers at Graduate School of Medicine Describe Findings in Hypophosphatemia (Distribution of blood pressure and its positive association with body mass index standard deviation score in pediatric patients with X-linked hypophosphatemia: a sub-group analysis from the SUNFLOWER observational study). Hematology Week. October 20, 2025; p 521.
  • Endocrine Journal. Distribution of blood pressure and its positive association with body mass index standard deviation score in pediatric patients with X-linked hypophosphatemia: a sub-group analysis from the SUNFLOWER observational study. 2025.
  • Japan Endocrine Soc. The 6TH Floor, Takakura Building, 343-1, Shijo-Cho, Shijo Shinmachi-Sagaru, Shimogyo-Ku, Kyoto, 600-8441, Japan.