Which of the following is NOT a common cause of altered mental status in pediatric patients?

Altered mental status in pediatric patients can arise from a variety of medical conditions, but hypertension is not typically considered a common cause. In pediatrics, altered mental status primarily results from factors that disrupt normal brain function, such as infectious processes, metabolic imbalances, or traumatic injuries.

Head trauma can lead to altered mental status due to direct injury to the brain, resulting in concussions or more severe brain injuries. Sepsis, a body-wide response to infection, can also cause confusion or decreased consciousness due to the inflammatory response and potential effects on blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can quickly impair brain function, as the brain relies heavily on glucose for energy.

Hypertension in children, while it does occur, is less common and often not directly linked to altered mental status compared to the other options mentioned. Most pediatric patients present with hypertension secondary to other conditions or as a solitary finding, rather than as a direct cause of decreased mental function. Therefore, it is appropriate to identify hypertension as not being a common cause of altered mental status in pediatric patients.