The variability of blood pressure measurements in children.

Abstract

This study examined the sources and amount of variation present in the blood pressures of 99 third grade children, using data collected from three repeated measurements made on three separate visits. The results highlight factors to consider when planning or evaluating studies designed to relate children's blood pressure levels to environmental conditions. Factors include variability both between and within children by visit and between observers; periodic restandardization of observers during the course of a study is desirable. (Am J Public Health 1983; 73:1207-1210.) IntroductionStudies of blood pressure variation in adult populations'-3 indicate that variation is a function of the time interval in which observations are made and is greater between than within examinations. This pattern of variation may be the same in children, but data to evaluate this hypothesis are not generally available.In this study we estimated the variation present in blood pressures using data collected from repeated measurements made on third grade school children on three separate visits and examined possible sources of this variation.

Comparison of auscultatory and oscillometric BP measurements in children with obesity and their effect on the diagnosis of arterial hypertension

“…Finally, BP should be measured several times during a medical visit for a more exact determination of BP levels, as many children with initial high BP show normal BP with repeated measurements, even during a short time frame. 37,38…”

Prevalence of high blood pressure among schoolchildren from Córdoba, Argentina, and its relation to socioeconomic status

“…1,2 It is known that pediatric blood pressure (BP) varies and a child's BP readings may fluctuate day by day or even within the same day. 3 This may be due to the "alerting response", which is defined as an increase in BP noticed during the medical consultation. Because of this phenomenon, 30-50% of children with abnormal BP values at the physician's office have normal values once outside.…”

Prevalencia de hipertensión arterial en escolares de Córdoba, Argentina, y su relación con el nivel socioeconómico

“…1,2 Es conocida la variabilidad de la presión arterial (PA) en los niños, que puede oscilar en el mismo individuo en mediciones realizadas en días diferentes o incluso en el mismo día. 3 Esto puede deberse al "fenómeno de alerta", el cual se define como la elevación de la PA que se produce durante la consulta. A causa de este fenómeno, 30-50% de los niños con valores anormales de PA en el consultorio presentan valores normales fuera de él.…”