A Study Of Valsartan Used To Treat Hypertension For Up To 56 Weeks In Children Ages 1 - 5 Years Who Have Hypertension

A Double-Blind, Randomized, Multi-Center Study Followed By 12 Months Open-Label Treatment To Evaluate The Dose Response And Safety Of Valsartan In Pediatric Hypertension Patients 1 - 5 Years Of Age

Drugs used to treat hypertension in adults should also be effective in treating high blood pressure in infants and children. This study will test the safety and efficacy of valsartan in lowering blood pressure in children 1 - 5 years old whose parents grant permission to participate.

Inclusion Criteria:

• CHILDREN HAVE BLOOD PRESSURE LEVEL =>95TH PERCENTILE FOR AGE,GENDER & HEIGHT
• PARENTAL CONSENT MUST BE GRANTED

Exclusion Criteria:

• BLOOD PESSURE IS =>25% HIGHER THAN 95TH PERCENTILE FOR AGE, GENDER & HEIGHT
• SERIOUS, CLINICALLY SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS UPON EXAMINATION AND LABORATORY OR OTHER ASSESSMENTS

Other protocol-defined exclusion criteria will apply.