Blood Pressure In School Children Research Articles

Associations of home and school-level ambient air pollution exposures with blood pressure in schoolchildren in Accra, Ghana

Associations of home and school-level ambient air pollution exposures with blood pressure in schoolchildren in Accra, Ghana

Comparability of childhood blood pressure measurements with two different devices.

Higher blood pressure levels are associated with vascular dysfunction as early as childhood. Here, we aim to compare two blood pressure devices for use in childhood populations within a school setting to screen for elevated blood pressure in children. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arteriolar pressure (MAP) as well as heart rate (HR) were measured with the validated Oscillomate 9002 and Mindray VS-900 in 82 randomly selected children between 10 and 12 years taking part in the EXAMIN YOUTH study in 2020. Measurements were performed after 5 min at rest in a sitting position in the school environment. Both devices showed strong correlations for systolic (r = 0.62, t[80] = 7, p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.73, t[80] = 9.52, p < 0.001), MAP (r = 0.75, t[80] = 10.22, p < 0.001) and HR (r = 0.89, t[79] = 17.77, p < 0.001). There was no evidence for a statistically significant difference of both devices for systolic (110 ± 9 mmHg vs. 111 ± 9 mmHg, p = 0.574), diastolic blood pressure (67 ± 9 mmHg vs. 66 ± 9 mmHg, p = 0.301) as well as MAP (81 ± 8 mmHg vs. 80 ± 8 mmHg, p = 0.400) and HR (83 ± 12 BPM vs. 83 ± 11 BPM, p = 0.994). Both devices, the older Oscillomate 9002 and the current Mindray VS-900 showed good agreement for the measurement of blood pressure in school children. It therefore appears to be feasible to measure childhood blood pressure with either device or replace one device with another in prospective long-term studies or screening programmes as long as both are validated for use in children.

Family history of arterial hypertension and central adiposity: impact on blood pressure in schoolchildren

BackgroundA family history of arterial hypertension is an important risk factor for arterial hypertension. This study aimed to verify the mediating role of high central adiposity in the relationship between family history of arterial hypertension and blood pressure in schoolchildren. MethodsCross-sectional study with 118 schoolchildren of both sexes aged between 11 and 17 years. Weight, height, waist circumference and body mass index z score were verified. Somatic maturation was predicted by age for peak growth velocity. The family history of arterial hypertension was verified and defined as hypertensive schoolchildren with systolic blood pressure or diastolic blood pressure. Mediation analysis was used with linear regression models applied by PROCESS macro for SPSS (version 22.0), with significance p < 0.05.ResultsIt was observed that 34.7% of the students have family history of arterial hypertension, 36% of the girls and 44.2% of the boys have arterial hypertension. In girls, the relationship between waist circumference and systolic blood pressure was direct (β = 0.535 p = 0.005), and those with a family history of arterial hypertension and who had a waist circumference greater than those without a family history of arterial hypertension was significant (β = -5,437 p = 0.009). Likewise, the relationship between family history of arterial hypertension and systolic blood pressure was attenuated when waist circumference was included in the model (β = -5.544; p = 0.103), indicating waist circumference as a mediator with an influence percentage of 19%. For boys, waist circumference is not a mediator of the relationship between family history of arterial hypertension and blood pressure.ConclusionsElevated central adiposity was a mediator of the relationship between family history of arterial hypertension and high blood pressure in girls, indicating the importance of family health strategies in the prevention and management of arterial hypertension in children and adolescents.

Скринінгова епідеміологічна характеристика артеріального тиску у популяції школярів міста Івано-Франківська

Наведені результати епідеміологічного дослідження, що було проведене у 1352 школярів 12–17 років м. Івано-Франківська. Отримані показники систолічного і діастолічного тиску та межі коливань його нормальних значень у дітей різних віково-статевих груп. Визначено, що частота випадків підвищеного артеріального тиску в популяції школярів 12–17 років м. Івано-Франківська (90–95-й перцентиль) становила у хлопчиків 30,39 %, у дівчаток — 14,68 %.

Relationship between physical development indicators and blood pressure level in school-age children

In the study, 848 school age children were examined. They were divided into 3 groups: the first group consisted of 182 children with arterial hypertension, the second group – 78 children with prehypertension and the control group – 588 children with normal blood pressure level. The physical development of children was assessed according to the generally accepted unified method. The blood pressure level was measured with an automatic tonometer three times, with the calculation of the average value. The results were assessed using percentile tables. Statistical processing of the data obtained was carried using Microsoft Office Excel and Statistica 10.0 programs. When analyzing anthropometric indicators, it was found that the Z-index of the body mass index in children of the first group was significantly higher than that in children with normal blood pressure. There was a difference in the circumference of the waist and hips as compared with children from the second and control groups. Based on the study results an epidemiological analysis of statistical processing was carried out and it was found that overweight and obesity are significant risk factors for the development of arterial hypertension (OR = 3.36; RR = 2.50; specificity = 0.81; sensitivity = 0.43). The results of the correlative and cluster analyses suggest the relationship between physical development indicators and the level of blood pressure in schoolchildren.

Effectiveness of a gamification strategy to prevent childhood obesity in schools: a cluster-randomized controlled trial

AbstractIntroductionSchool-based interventions to prevent obesity have shown heterogeneous results. Recent school-based trials with “negative” have cast doubt on their effectiveness. In the Juntos Santiago trial, we used an innovative, theory-based gamification strategy to increase motivation and participation in healthy behavioural changes. This is the first trial, to our knowledge, to use gamification to prevent childhood obesity.ObjectiveTo examine the effectiveness of a multicomponent gamification strategy to prevent obesity in 5th and 6th-grade schoolchildren in Santiago de Chile.Materials and methodsSchool-based, parallel cluster-randomized controlled trial. 81 schools in two municipalities in Santiago, Chile, with more than 40 students in 5th and 6th grade altogether were eligible. Schools were randomized and sequentially invited to participate. The multicomponent intervention was a gamification strategy with four components: (i) healthy challenges (snacks, steps and healthy activities); (ii) gamification incentives, such as points, levels, leaderboards and badges; (iii) rewards (infrastructure and fun activity) and (iv) an online platform for parents and students to monitor the progress. Participants were followed up at 5 and 8 months. Pre-registered primary outcomes were body mass index (BMI) z-score and waist circumference (WC) at 8 months. Secondary outcomes were BMI and systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at 8 months. Multilevel analysis adjusted for individual and school-level covariates were used.Results24 schools (9 controls) and 2333 students (709 controls) were assessed at baseline and 2264 students (689 controls) were assessed at 8 months. The mean BMI z-score was lower in the intervention group compared to the control group at 8 months (mean difference -0.132, 95% CI -0.249; -0.014), while no difference was observed for WC. Mean BMI and SBP were lower in the intervention arm compared to the control arm (mean difference for SBP -0.139; 95% CI -2.39; -0.40). No difference was observed for DBP.DiscussionThe gamification strategy appears to prevent childhood obesity and reduce systolic blood pressure in school children in Santiago. These effects are larger than the pooled effects from existing meta-analyses. Further research should identify which components of the gamification strategy were more effective.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03459742Funded byMayors Challenge 2016, Bloomberg Philanthropies

Peculiarities of functional test of the cardiovascular system in children with increased level of arterial pressure

Assessment of the functional state of the cardiovascular system in children and adolescents is one of the most important areas in pediatrics, since its criteria are basic in terms of determining and predicting somatic health, physical status, as well as the possible limitations of certain types of motor activity. Functional disorders of the cardiovascular system are mainly represented by fluctuations of blood pressure, impaired repolarization and conduction of the heart, etc. To assess the condition of the cardiovascular system in schoolchildren usually use screening studies: measure the level of blood pressure, record electrocardiography, conduct functional tests (Rufier, Shtange, Gench, etc.). The purpose of the work. To evaluate the features of functional tests in children with high level of blood pressure. Material and methods. 90 children of school age residents of Chernivtsi region and Chernivtsi city were examined. The children were divided into two groups: the main group (45 people) was referred to children with high blood pressure level, the control group (45 people) consisted of clinically healthy children. Measurement of blood pressure was performed three times with an interval of 3 minutes on the left arm using an automatic tonometer. Measurement results were evaluated using percentile nomograms for age, gender, and height of children. To assess the functional state of the cardiovascular system, children fulfilled Ruffier, Shtange and Gench tests. Results. Assessing the level of blood pressure in schoolchildren of the main group obtained the following results: in 33 children, the level of blood pressure was within the corridor 90–95%, which is estimated as arterial prehypertension; at 12 — exceeded 95%, and was in the range between 95% and 95% +12 mm Hg, which was regarded as arterial hypertension of 1 degree. In all children of the control group, blood pressure indicators corresponded to percentile corridors of 25–75%, 75–90% (up to 90th percentile), which was regarded as normal blood pressure level. Estimating the Rufier index, it was found that in most children with hypertension, the reserve capacity of the cardiovascular system and exercise tolerance are significantly lower than those of their peers with normal blood pressure. Analyzing the data obtained from the samples of Shtange and Gench tests showed significantly worse results in children with hypertension than in the comparison group. This indicates a lower resistance to hypoxia in these children, which is due to the pathophysiological mechanisms that occur in the microcirculatory bed of the lungs, heart and brain. Conclusions. 1. According to the results of functional tests in children with arterial hypertension, exercise tolerance and resistance to hypoxia are significantly lower than in their peers with normal blood pressure. 2. These features in children with arterial hypertension may be the result of pathophysiological disorders both at the level of central hemodynamics and at the level of the microcirculation.

The Association between Basal Metabolic Index and Blood Pressure in School Children of Urban Area in Jaipur District

The Association between Basal Metabolic Index and Blood Pressure in School Children of Urban Area in Jaipur District

High blood pressure in schoolchildren: Associated sociodemographic and biochemical factors

Abstract Introduction and Objective Pediatric hypertension has increased in the last decade, and it is thus crucial to identify the factors associated with the development of high blood pressure (BP) and other cardiovascular disorders. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between high BP and sociodemographic and biochemical factors in schoolchildren. Methods This cross-sectional study included 1201 children and adolescents, between seven and 17 years old, of both sexes. The sociodemographic data analyzed were gender, age, school system and socioeconomic status. Among biochemical indicators, blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol (HDL- C ) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) were assessed. In the analysis of BP, schoolchildren were classified as normal, borderline or hypertensive. Associations were tested using Poisson regression through prevalence ratios (PR). Results High BP was identified in 16.2% of the students. In females, the prevalence of high BP was 7% lower than in males (p=0.001), but was higher among adolescents (PR: 1.11, p Conclusion Among the sociodemographic factors associated with high BP are male gender, adolescence and attending the state education system. This condition was also associated with pre-diabetes and borderline HDL-C.

Effectiveness of a Multicomponent Intervention Programme on Blood Pressure of School Children

A study was conducted to find out the Effectiveness of a Multicomponent Intervention Programme on blood pressure of school children from selected schools of Kerala. Objectives of the study: (1) To find out the prevalence of pre hypertension and hypertension among school children. (2) To find out the effectiveness of a multi component intervention programme on blood pressure of school children Methodology & Design: Evaluative research approach with pre-test post-test control group design was used. 220 school children with pre hypertension in the age group of 13-16 years studying in 8th and 9th standards were included using simple random sampling in the study after screening 1328 children. A multi component intervention programme aimed at diet, exercise and lifestyle modifications of school children was then implemented. Results: The prevalence of pre systolic hypertension and pre diastolic hypertension among the study population was 265/1000 and 226/1000 respectively. The mean systolic blood pressure in the experimental group was significantly reduced after the multi component intervention programme (117.23 ± 5.36) compared to pretest (119.25 ± 4.90). There was a significant association of systolic blood pressure of school children only with their class of study (x2= 4.98, p=0.026). Conclusion: Multi component intervention programme was effective in reducing the blood pressure of school children. The results of the present study is very much encouraging that similar programmes can definitely help in controlling life style diseases among children which is an emerging public health problem

High urate concentration is associated with elevated blood pressure in schoolchildren.

Background Studies in adults have shown a relationship between high blood pressure and hyperuricemia, but few studies have investigated this association in children and adolescents. The aim of the present study was to associate urate concentration with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in schoolchildren. Methods This cross-sectional study used a sample of 2335 schoolchildren in basic education between 7 and 17 years old. Blood pressure was classified by percentile according to Brazilian parameters for sex and age, reclassified into two categories: normal and borderline/hypertension. Blood collection to obtain serum for urate concentration analysis was performed after a 12-h fast. Values above 5.5 mg/dL were considered hyperuricemia. Descriptive data were presented in frequency and percentage. Linear regression and Poisson regression (prevalence ratio [PR]) was used to test the association between urate concentration and blood pressure. Results Urate concentration was weakly associated with SBP (β: 0.05; 95% CI: 0.02-0.08) and DBP (β: 0.03; 95% CI: 0.01-0.05) z-scores. Schoolchildren with hyperuricemia had a higher prevalence of high SBP (PR: 1.12; p<0.001) and DBP (PR: 1.08; p<0.001). Conclusions Elevated urate concentration is associated with altered blood pressure in schoolchildren.

A study of blood pressure in school children between the age of 6-12 years in Chennai, India: a cross sectional study

Background: Blood pressure measurements in childhood are an important clinical examination. Present study was done to evaluate the normal range of blood pressure (BP) in children aged 6-12 years and to find its relationship with regard to age, sex, height and weight criteria and comparing the values with the available standards.Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was done in primary and middle schools of Chennai from January 2016 to May 2017. Three readings of blood pressure were recorded for each subject and were correlated with age, gender, socioeconomic status and anthropometry. Data was analysed on SPSS 20.0. P value of &lt;0.05 was considered significantResults: A total of 2002 children (1026 boys, 976 girls) of age between 6-12 years were examined over 18 months. There was an upward trend in both systolic (r = 0.437, P&lt;0.001) and diastolic BP (r = 0.386, P &lt;0.001) with age. There was no statistically significant difference in mean systolic and diastolic BP with gender (P = 0.10), weight (P = 0.10) and height (P = 0.10). There was a statistically significant difference between the mean systolic and diastolic BP between low and high socio-economic groups (P &lt;0.0001). The proportion of children with hypertension was 9.54% with a slight female preponderance.Conclusions: Blood pressure measurement in children is pivotal in clinical examination. It shows a linear relationship with age and varies across socio-economic status. Periodic recording of BP would enable identify hypertension at an early age.

Arterial blood pressure in schoolchildren, who were born after caesarian section

The aim of the study was to determine the blood pressure characteristics of school-age children, who were born by caesarean section. Materials and Methods . 75 school-age children ages from 12 till 16 years were investigated. They were hospitalized in the pediatric department with a diagnosis of vegetative dysfunction and with complaints of periodic increase in blood pressure. Patients were divided into two groups. The first group included 47 children, who were born by the usual way – vaginal delivery. The second group included 28 children, who were born by caesarean section. All children were investigated by 24-hour blood pressure monitoring. The daily, day and night mean values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were studied. The normal limit values for 50, 90 and 95 percentiles relative to height, age, gender were calculated for every child individually. The indices of physical development – weight, height, BMI were assessed. Results. The mean indices of daily (p = 0.03) and day (p = 0.013) systolic blood pressure exceeding 90 centiles has been observed more frequently in the group of children born by caesarean section. The value of night systolic blood pressure exceeded 50 centiles more often among children from the 2 group (p = 0.016). The level of night systolic (6.06 ± 1.27 %) and diastolic (7.89 ± 1.58 %) pressure decreasing in children who were born by cesarean section was significantly lower than in children who were born by usual way. Odds ratio of 4.28 (p = 0.01) showed the influence of the birth by cesarean section on overweight, and on daily systolic blood pressure increasing (4.27; p = 0.02). Effect of breastfeeding duration of less than 6 months on daily systolic blood pressure exceeding 50 centiles (4.59; p = 0.01) has been found. Conclusions. Birth by caesarean section led to a greater frequency of exceeding the systolic blood pressure according to its daily monitoring in adolescents with symptoms of vegetative dysfunction, as well as a lower level of night blood pressure decreasing. Overweight and short duration of breastfeeding may have been the factors that caused blood pressure changes in examined children.

High blood pressure in school children and adolescents in Argentina over the past 25 years: A systematic review of observational studies

Over the past years, hypertension has been recognized as an important health problem in the pediatric population. A systematic review of observational studies published between 1988 and 2014 was conducted to estimate the prevalence of high blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors among children and adolescents in Argentina. A bibliographic search was done in MEDLINE, SciELO, and LILACS to look for studies on high blood pressure prevalence in school children and adolescents in Argentina. Studies and surveys that had included the measurement of blood pressure in children and adolescents (aged 5-20 years) according to the Fourth Report on the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents by the American Academy of Pediatrics were included in this study. Fourteen publications were identified. The pooled prevalence in 11 706 subjects (random effects model) was 6.61% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.30-9.37). The crude prevalence was 7.35% (95% CI: 6.88-7.83). High blood pressure was more prevalent among adolescents than children ≤ 10 years old (7.4% versus 4.3%, P = 0.001), and among boys than girls (11.2% versus 6.8%, P = 0.001). The most common risk factors included a sedentary lifestyle (50%), overweight (15.4%), abdominal obesity (13.7%), obesity (11.5%), and smoking (6.5%). Our data show that the prevalence of high blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors in school children and adolescents is high, and this accounts for a very important public health problem in Argentina.

Muscle strength is associated with lower diastolic blood pressure in schoolchildren

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) provides protection against the elevated blood pressure in overweight youth. Less is known regarding any similar protective effect of muscular fitness. We investigated how handgrip strength, an easy to implement measure of muscular strength, interacted with CRF and BMI to determine blood pressure in youth. We measured systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, handgrip strength (HG), CRF and body mass index (BMI) in n=7329 10–16year-olds (47% girls). We defined elevated blood pressure as >91st percentile and Good HG as >33rd percentile. Participants were classified as Fit or Unfit and as Normal or Overweight/Obese based on international standards.The prevalence of elevated SBP was 23%, and 44% of participants had elevated DBP. In unfit participants Good HG was associated with lower SBP (z=0.41 (95%CI: 0.20–0.61) and DBP (z=0.29 (95%CI: 0.12–0.47). In Overweight/Obese participants, DBP was z=0.24 (95%CI: 0.14–0.34) lower in the Good (versus Low) HG group. Overweight/Obese participants with Good HG also had a 32% lower risk of elevated DBP (OR: 0.68, 95%CI: 0.57–0.82). This association was attenuated but remained important after adjusting for BMI (20% risk reduction, OR: 0.80, 95%CI: 0.63–1.01).Muscular fitness appears to play some protective role against the risk of elevated blood pressure; particularly for the more prevalent measure: elevated DBP (44%). Effects may be restricted to Overweight / Obese or unfit youth, who have an increased risk of elevated BP and also may be less likely to engage in traditional cardiorespiratory fitness training. Research to determine the effects of muscular fitness training on blood pressure is warranted in these subgroups.

The influence of stressor on blood pressure in school children

Background Physical and psychological stress such as child anxi-ety, can increase blood pressure.Objective To evaluate the role of vein puncture as a stressor caus-ing alteration of blood pressure in school children.Methods This study was a descriptive, pre and post test study asa part of a screening study on primary school children at Cibubursubdistrict in East Jakarta. Blood pressure was measured beforeand after a vein puncture procedure in 449 children. Nine childrenwere excluded because of incomplete data.Results The increase of systolic blood pressure was found in 121(27.5%) subjects, decrease in 42 (9.5%), and no change in 227(63%). Diastolic blood pressure increased in 123 (28.0%) subjects,decreased in 38 (8.6%), and did not change in 279 (63.4%). Theincrease of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure was found in61 (13.8%), increased systolic with no change of diastolic in 58(13.2%), and increased systolic with decreased diastolic in 2 (0.5%)children. Decreased systolic with increased diastolic was found in2 (0.5%) subjects, decreased systolic with no change of diastolicin 26 (5.9%), and decrease of both systolic and diastolic in 14 (3.2%)children. No changes in both systolic and diastolic blood pressurewere found in 195 (44.3%); no change in systolic with decreaseddiastolic blood pressure was found in 22 (5.0%) children.Conclusion In most of the school children, vein puncture proce-dure did not cause alteration on blood pressure

Caracterização e influência dos indicadores de obesidade central, aptidão cardiorrespiratória e nível de atividade física sobre a pressão arterial de escolares

ObjectiveTo verify the association of indicators of central obesity, cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity on blood pressure in schoolchildren. MethodAn epidemiological study of 610 schoolchildren aged 8‐12 years. Were assessed: body weight, height, waist circumference, conicity index, waist/height ratio, level of physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, blood pressure and body mass index. ResultsThe school group had systolic and diastolic blood pressure 104±12 and 61±8mmHg respectively, maximal oxygen consumption 38±13ml/kg/min and waist/height ratio 44±5cm. Schoolchildren obese have five times more likely to be hypertension OR=5.2 (2.4 ‐ 11.6). ConclusionObese children and especially central obesity, have higher odds ratios of being hypertension and at higher risk for boys. The waist/height ratio proved valid to predict hypertension in school.

Blood Pressure in Schoolchildren and Adolescents and its Variation according to Nutritional Status Evaluation: An Early Preventive Key for Obesity Comorbidities

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) already exist in pediatric ages although their progress and major clinical burden occur in adulthood. Wide international studies have shown their tracking from early ages. Elevated blood pressure (EBP) is more frequent in overweight and obese children and adolescents (C&A), although this is often overlooked, particularly in slightly overweight children. The aim of this study is to screen the asymptomatic C&A in order to stress the importance of it. Methods: 1347 C&A (45% girls) regularly attending urban and suburban state schools with ages between 6-18 years were enrolled after having relevant inclusion criteria. Gender, age, height, weight and circumferences were obtained with a specified precision limits for each one. The nutritional status was after BMI-Z score. Blood pressure measurements were also taken with the same strict patterns using mercury column devices. Prehypertension was considered when systolic or diastolic blood pressure (SBF, DBP) were higher than 90th centile and below the 95 th centile. Results: SBP > 90 th centile was founded in 25.7% of the whole sample and in 31.9% of the overweight and obese subgroups. Overweight C&A were 24%, and obese 8% of the total populations, these ratios unfortunately are concordant to the skewed national pediatric population. Significant differences occur when subgroups were analyzed by nutritional status, gender and age. The multiple regression analysis shows a clear association of SBP (dependent variable) with age, waist circumference and gender.

Elevated blood pressure and obesity in childhood: a cross-sectional evaluation of 4,609 schoolchildren.

Background:The incidence of obesity in children is increasing worldwide, primarily in urbanized, high-income countries, and hypertension development is a detrimental effect of this phenomenon.Objective:In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the prevalence of excess weight and its association with high blood pressure (BP) in schoolchildren.Methods:Here 4,609 male and female children, aged 6 to 11 years, from 24 public and private schools in Maringa, Brazil, were evaluated. Nutritional status was assessed by body mass index (BMI) according to cutoff points adjusted for sex and age. Blood pressure (BP) levels above 90th percentile for gender, age and height percentile were considered elevated.Results:The prevalence of excess weight among the schoolchildren was 24.5%; 16.9% were overweight, and 7.6% were obese. Sex and socioeconomic characteristics were not associated with elevated BP. In all age groups, systolic and diastolic BP correlated with BMI and waist and hip measurements, but not with waist-hip ratio. The prevalence of elevated BP was 11.2% in eutrophic children, 20.6% in overweight children [odds ratio (OR), 1.99; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.61-2.45], and 39.7% in obese children (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 4.23-6.89).Conclusion:Obese and overweight children had a higher prevalence of elevated BP than normal-weight children. Our data confirm that the growing worldwide epidemic of excess weight and elevated BP in schoolchildren may also be ongoing in Brazil.

Is breastfeeding protective for blood pressure in schoolchildren? A cohort study in northeast Brazil.

This study assessed the influence of breastfeeding and nutritional status of full-term infants on blood pressure at school age. This was a cross-sectional study nested in a cohort of 375 infants recruited at birth between 1993 and 1994 in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. A sample of 213 8-year-old children had their blood pressure measured. A multivariate linear regression analysis was used to identify the influence of low birth weight and breastfeeding duration on blood pressure, adjusting for socioeconomic conditions, maternal nutritional status, eating habits, growth rate (0-6 months), and the children's anthropometry at 8 years. Mean values of children's blood pressure were significantly higher with lower duration of breastfeeding. Higher per capita family income, maternal body mass index and height, child's weight and length at birth, and child anthropometric dimensions at 8 years of age were associated with higher levels of blood pressure. The multivariate linear regression analysis showed that children who were breastfed for less than 40 days had higher systolic blood pressures, explaining 2.2% of its variation. Anthropometry at 8 years of age explained the higher variance in systolic blood pressure (12.6%) with emphasis on waist circumference (9.5%), followed by per capita income (3.2%) and maternal height (2.1%). Birth weight and length had no influence on blood pressure levels in this age group. Children's waist circumference, duration of breastfeeding, socioeconomic conditions, and maternal nutritional status influenced blood pressure levels of schoolchildren born full term, rather than low birth weight.