BLOOD PRESSURE PERCENTILE CHARTS IN AUSTRALIAN SCHOOL CHILDREN

Abstract

Blood pressures (BP) were measured in 3,000 school children aged between 7 & 13 years in the Adelaide metropolitan area. Schools cover wide socio-economic groups. All measurements were by one nurse at schools using a London School of Hygiene Blind Reading Sphygmomanometer. Each child had BP measured sitting. The first reading was taken as soon as practical after the child had been seated. Subsequent readings were 5 & 10 minutes later. First, 4th & 5th sounds were recorded. Each child had a cuff that totally encircled the upper arm and was the maximum width that would fit. Mean BP at the initial recording ranged from 98/58/55 at 7 to 118/70/68 at 13. At 5 minutes the range was 95/58/56 at 7 to 113/70/68 at 13, and at 10 minutes 90/55/54 at 7 to 108/67/65 at 13. There was a steady rise in all BP recordings with age. In each age group there was a consistent fall from zero time to 10 minutes. This was more pronounced with systolic than diastolic readings. At all ages there was a small difference in BP between boys and girls - boys being consistently higher. Adequate percentile charts for BP in Australian children have not previously existed. Our figures show lower mean BP than studies in North American children, stressing importance of such studies in individual populations. Recording of readings at 5 & 10 minutes are useful in the overall assessment of BP in children.