Acknowledging obesity and hypertension in the pediatric population

In this Contemporary Pediatrics video interview, Carissa M. Baker-Smith, MD, MPH, director, Pediatric Preventive Cardiology, Nemours Children’s Health Delaware, discussed several aspects of pediatric cardiology.

Baker-Smith highlighted some key takeaways from the American College of Cardiology meeting that took place from April 6-8, 2024, and pointed out what she felt are the most pressing issues to address in the space today.

"The American College of Cardiology is a hub for what's newest and greatest, both in adult cardiology and pediatric cardiology," Baker-Smith said.

"I think this year, there was an additional focus on health equity, and the path have been laid forward to help achieve both equity within the workforce, or to work towards equity within the workforce."

The conversation turned to pressing issues in the pediatric cardiology space. Baker-Smith pointed out obesity and pediatric hypertension stand out.

"Where are we still have a great deal of work and I think some large hurdles to overcome, is the obesity epidemic and the burden of hypertension," said Baker-Smith. "Not only the [United States], but in the world, [this] really contributes to the expense that countries pay in terms of health care, to maternal outcomes to maternal fetal outcomes, to the just a global burden of disease. And hypertension, is by far the largest contributor to heart failure, heart disease in the world."

Carissa M. Baker-Smith discloses the following:

• Board membership - PCORI, Renovascular Hypertension Advisory Board
• Consultancies or paid advisory boards - MEDSCAPE (homozygous FH)
• Employment - Nemours Children's Health
• Grants/research funding pending - NIH/NIGMS
• Grants received/research funding - NIH/NIGMS, Nemours, Regeneron
• Meeting/conference attendance - AHA, AHA EPI, ACC, PAS