Sustained hypertension (H) was found in 6% of 21,500 school children aged 6 to 15 years studied in 1972-73 and again in 1982-83. The primary character of H was proved in 85%. Hemodynamic studies revealed a hyperkinetic type of circulation and elevated total peripheral resistance. Studies on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism showed a high rate of hyperlipoproteinemia with low levels of HDL-cholesterol and impaired glucose tolerance combined with high basal plasma triglycerides and plasma insulin before and after stimulation by glucose. In a follow-up study 10 years after the first one we established persistent H in 43% of the initially hypertensive children.