Abstract
Aims and objective: To determine normal blood pressure (BP) in apparently healthy, asymptomatic school children in the age group of 6–16 years and to determine the correlation of BP values with different sex, weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) and also to find out prevalence of hypertension in school going population.Materials and methods: This prospective, observational study enrolled 3,302 urban children (1,658 boys and 1,644 girls) in the age group of 6–16 years. These were analyzed to study the distribution pattern of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at different ages, sex, weight, height, and BMI. The SBP and DBP were noted as per age and sex. The association was seen between mean SBP and mean DBP with weight, height, and BMI. Information was collected about the family history of hypertension and was correlated with the obtained SBP and DBP readings.Results: The mean SBP in males at 6 years was 99.69 ± 3.62 mm of Hg, at 10 years was 102.20 ± 2.16 mm of Hg, and at 16 years was 115.33 ± 1.26 mm of Hg. The mean SBP in females at 6 years was 96.55 ± 2.86 mm of Hg, at 10 years was 101.16 ± 2.12 mm of Hg, and at 16 years was 112.41 ± 1.06 mm of Hg. The correlation coefficient for relationship between age and SBP in males and females was 0.89 and 0.91, respectively, and for DBP was 0.92 and 0.90, respectively. The correlation coefficient for relationship between height and SBP in males and females was 0.91 and 0.93, respectively, and for DBP was 0.92 and 0.88, respectively. The correlation coefficient for relationship between weight and SBP in males and females was 0.92 and 0.92, respectively, and for DBP was 0.94 and 0.91, respectively. In the nomogram obtained in the study, 95% of study population fall between mean +2SD and −2SD.Conclusion: The blood pressure (BP) (SBP and DBP) tends to increase with age, weight, height, and BMI. The BP values (SBP and DBP) increases grossly after 11 years of age. The students with positive family history of hypertension had higher valve when compared to other student. The BP of children and adolescents can be evaluated using the reference table according to age. The table provided helps to classify as “normal” or “hypertension” (>+2SD).
Highlights
The measurement of blood pressure (BP) is firmly established as an important component of routine pediatric physical examination [1]
This study shows a positive linear association of body mass index (BMI) with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in both sexes and these results were comparable to other studies [5, 8, 14, 19]
After critically analyzing the results of the present study and comparing the results with other studies, it can be concluded that BP, both systolic and diastolic gradually increases with age, the increase being more pronounced in SBP than in DBP
Summary
The measurement of blood pressure (BP) is firmly established as an important component of routine pediatric physical examination [1]. BP is considerably lower in children than in adults but usually increases steadily throughout the first two decades of life [2,3,4,5]. The BP is continuously distributed and BP profile in children varies with age, sex, weight, height, body mass index (BMI) (obesity), family history of hypertension, social economic status, and dietary habits. The prevalence of hypertension in children has been reported to be approximately. Elevated BP in children and adolescents may be an early expression of essential hypertension in adulthood [2, 8, 9]. NIH of USA has recommended that BP measurement should be part with weight and height measurement, which is done in children at least once a year. Most of the studies have established the standards for children of western www.frontiersin.org
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
