Minoxidil in refractory hypertension.

A life-threatening, severe, hypertension refractory to conventional antihypertensive drugs developed in a 10-year-old girl in association with a functional renal transplant. Minoxidil, a new vasodilator, proved to be a life-saving antihypertensive drug and prevented the removal of the functional transplant. During 9 months of minoxidil therapy the blood pressure remained controlled and the renal transplant function excellent. No serious side effects except a moderate hypertrichosis have been observed. It appears that minoxidil can be used to control refractory, life-threatening hypertension in children.