What is a common symptom in children with aortic coarctation?

In a case of aortic coarctation, a common and significant symptom exhibited by children is upper body hypertension. Aortic coarctation occurs when there is a narrowing of the aorta, typically just distal to the left subclavian artery. This narrowing leads to increased resistance to blood flow, which results in elevated blood pressure in the portions of the body that are located before the point of coarctation, such as the arms and head. Consequently, children often present with hypertension in the upper body while the lower body, which is supplied by blood that has to travel past the coarctation, may experience lower blood pressures. Monitoring blood pressure in both the upper and lower extremities becomes essential in suspecting this condition, as the discrepancy can guide further investigation.

The other symptoms listed do not typically align with the physiological consequences of aortic coarctation. Increased appetite may not be directly related to this condition or indicate any cardiovascular issue. Frequent urination is not commonly associated with aortic coarctation and could suggest other issues. Cold extremities, while they could suggest poor blood flow due to coarctation, is not as definitive or characteristic of the condition as upper body hypertension. Thus, understanding the