Synergy of Technology and Healthcare: The Development of a Smartphone Application to Detect Hypertension in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

The prevalence of hypertension and pre-hypertension in the pediatric population is increasing. The development of primary hypertension earlier in life increases the chances of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality later in life. Studies have shown that 34 to 38% of children and adolescents with mild untreated hypertension already show signs of left ventricular hypertrophy. Evidence shows that childhood and adolescent hypertension and pre-hypertension are under-recognized due to a number of factors including lack of provider knowledge regarding the National High Blood Pressure Educational Program (NHBPEP) guidelines for diagnosing, evaluation, and treatment of high blood pressure in children and adolescents. Another issue is the complexity of diagnosing HTN in this population that requires utilizing 1,904 variables based on gender, age, and height percentile delineated from the CDC development charts. To more easily detect hypertension in children and adolescents, a Smartphone application, Pedia BP, was designed and developed. The existing tables from The Fourth Report on the Diagnosis, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents (NHBPEP, 2005), which contain hundreds of normal and abnormal blood pressure values based on gender, age, and height percentile, were analyzed and streamlined into a much simplified, single user interface Smartphone application. Pedia BP makes it easy to identify abnormal blood pressure values in an accurate and timely manner and resides on the mobile device so Internet access is not required and can be used in any setting. The time saving Pedia BP application, allows the practitioner to quickly follow best practice protocols regarding management of identified issues.