Objectives: Blood pressure (BP) regulation depends on(above the 75 percentile) maintained this tendency up to, at least, the age of 36 months. The comparison the interaction between multiple environmental and genetic factors. Of these, BP sensitivity to dietary sodium between SBP and diastolic BP (DBP) according haptoglobin phenotypes demonstrated that SBP was systemintake has been one that has been investigated in adults but not in children. The aim of the present study was to atically higher in allele 1, with apparently an increasing tendency with age, although the differences did not investigate, prospectively, the BP profile in relation to different genetic and hormonal factors, in the first 3 have statistical significance. The comparative study between haptoglobin phenotypes, with correction for years of life. Population and methods: Thirty-nine children born at the covariates fractional excretion of sodium and potassium, showed that allele 1 carriers had significantly term following normal pregnancies, with uncomplicated neonatal periods, were randomly selected to take part lower plasma renin and urine aldosterone and cAMP concentrations than allele 2, but dopamine excretion in the study. BP, weight and length were evaluated every 3 months from birth to 3 years. At the age of 12 months, was found to be higher in allele 1 than in allele 2. There were no differences among variables relating to family haptoglobin phenotypes and plasma active renin concentration were determined as well as random urine history of cardiovascular disease. Conclusions: There was an early tracking process of BP evaluation of aldosterone, cAMP, dopamine and digoxin-like immunoreactive substances (DLIS). Family values from the first 6 months of life which persists through, at least, to the age of 36 months. Differences history of cardio-vascular diseases was also recorded. Results: Systolic BP (SBP) demonstrated a gradual in sodium handling between haptoglobin 1 and 2 phenotypes were already present in early childhood, although increase until the age of 6 months with little variation up to 36 months. Tracking of SBP values was also no significant repercussion in BP values could be demonstrated in the 3-year duration of this study. observed from the first year as infants with high values Keywords: infant blood pressure; haptoglobin phenotype; BP sodium sensitivity diets since early life adopting as a reference the low

Plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline levels were measured while supine and following head-up tilt to 45 degrees, in both normal controls and in patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy of the Portuguese type. In nine patients systolic blood pressure fell by less than 15 mmHg, while in seven patients it fell by more than 15 mmHg. Plasma noradrenaline rose during tilt in the majority of patients, as in the controls. There was no correlation between levels of catecholamines and fall in blood pressure on head-up tilt. The data excludes widespread sympatho-neural failure as a cause for postural hypotension in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy of the Portuguese type. The results are compatible with either segmental/patchy sympathetic denervation or dysfunction of the receptor/effector mechanisms in target organs such as the heart and blood vessels.

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