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Oscillometric Blood Pressure Standards for Children

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Abstract

We previously reported blood pressure (BP) readings obtained by the Dinamap (DIN) (Model 8100) were 10 mmHg higher than those obtained by auscultatory methods and thus were not interchangeable. DIN BP data on 7208 schoolchildren ages 5 to 17 were analyzed to generate normative DIN BP standards and to examine the rational for presenting BP standards according to age and height percentiles. Three BP measurements were taken in the sitting position using a BP cuff width 40% to 50% of the circumference of the arm. Boys’ systolic pressures (SP) were significantly (p < 0.05) greater (up to 11 mmHg) than those of the girls in subjects age 13 to 17 years. SP levels were most closely correlated with weight (r = 0.595), followed by height (r = 0.560) and age (r = 0.518). When BP levels were adjusted for age and weight, the correlation coefficient of DIN SP with height was negligible (r = 0.026 for boys; r = 0.085 for girls), whereas when adjusted for age and height, the correlation of SP with weight remained high (r = 0.303 for boys; r = 0.216 for girls), indicating that height is not an important independent predictor of BP levels. In conclusion, Dinamap-specific BP standards presented in this report are the only standards that have been generated according to the current BP guidelines recommended by national committees. We found no rational for presenting BP standards according to age and height percentiles.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the school board members, superintendents, school teachers, and nursing staff of the South San Antonio ISD, the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD, and the San Antonio ISD for their enthusiastic support for the project. We thank all staff members of the San Antonio Children’s Blood Pressure Study for their dedication to the project. This study was supported by grants MCH-480612 and MCH-480747 from the Maternal and Child Health Program (Title V, Social Security Act), Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Driscoll Children’s Hospital, Corpus Christi, TX, USA

    M.K. Park

  2. Department of Family Nursing Care, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA

    S.W. Menard

  3. Department of Academic Informatics Services, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA

    J. Schoolfield

  4. Home Office, 3318 Buckhaven Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78230, USA

    M.K. Park

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  1. M.K. Park
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  2. S.W. Menard
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  3. J. Schoolfield
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Correspondence to M.K. Park.

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Park, M., Menard, S. & Schoolfield, J. Oscillometric Blood Pressure Standards for Children. Pediatr Cardiol 26, 601–607 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00246-004-0828-9

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