We agree that reference values of serum uric acid can vary, based on age and gender. Women tend to have lower levels (by 0.5 to 1.0 mg/dL) than men, probably because of the uricosuric effect of estrogens [1]. However, in this study, we used the levels which are considered to correlate with primary hypertension in nearly 90% of teenagers [2]. Moreover, the relation between uric acid and cardiovascular disease has been observed not only with frank hyperuricemia (>6 mg/dL in women and >7 mg/dL in men), but also with uric acid levels considered to be in the normal to high range (>5.2 to 5.5 mg/dL) [3]. Therefore, we decided to take this cut-off point in both genders. However, we agree that our study dealt with hematological parameters and platelet count in adolescents with ‘high normal’ uric acid levels rather than age- and gender-based reference values [4,5].

With regard to the exclusion criteria, we would like to clarify that primary hypertension was not an exclusion criteria. Moreover, most of the children included in the study were referred to our department in the primary care office because of elevated casual blood pressure. Only children with secondary forms of hypertension were excluded. Similarly, excluded children were diagnosed with diabetes, but not with metabolic syndrome. We used the age- and gender-specific adolescent metabolic syndrome criteria linked to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III.