Hypertension and Associated Risk Factors among Children with Intellectual Disability: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

To investigate the prevalence of hypertension and associated risk factors in Chinese children with intellectual disability, a cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 558 children with intellectual disability aged 6–18 years in Hong Kong, and 452 (81.0%) with valid data were included in the data analysis. Blood pressure was measured according to a standard protocol. Hypertension was defined using the age-, gender-, and height-specific classification criteria recommended by the 2018 Chinese Guidelines for Children. Multivariate and hierarchical logistic regression was fitted to examine the associations of hypertension with potential risk factors. Overall, 31.4% of the participants were classified as having hypertension. Obese children were more likely to develop hypertension than non-obese children (adjusted OR = 2.77, 95% CI: 1.28, 5.99, p = 0.010). A paternal education of college or above and a paternal occupation of clerks, sales representatives, and workers were also associated with an increased risk of hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension is high among Chinese children with intellectual disability. Obesity was the strongest risk factor. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to confirm our findings. Nevertheless, preventions against obesity are promising to receive doubled benefits in reducing both obesity and hypertension, given its strong relationship with hypertension in this special population.

Effects of a School-Based Physical Activity Intervention for Obesity, Health-Related Physical Fitness, and Blood Pressure in Children with Intellectual Disability: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…A recent cross-sectional study among 128 children with ID identified that 71% to 91% of them scored below the age-and gender-specific reference values of HRPF, including cardiopulmonary fitness and muscular fitness [7]. Though evidence was limited, hypertension might also hit an alarming level, as shown in our previous cross-sectional study, where 31.4% of children with ID were hypertensive [11].…”

“…Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) were measured using an Omron blood pressure monitor (HBP-9020) following a standard protocol. In terms of the control variables, PA (daily minutes) and sedentary behavior (daily hours) were measured using a modified Chinese version of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), sleep duration (daily hours) was asked in a typical week, eating habits were assessed with a dietary questionnaire developed by the Central Health Education Unit of Hong Kong for school-aged children, and the pubertal stage was estimated with an illustrated Tanner pubertal questionnaires [9,11,[22][23][24]. Possible adverse effects induced by the PA interventions, such as injuries and eating disorders, were monitored and recorded during the 24-week study period.…”