The long-term health risks for hypertension in children and adolescents can be substantial. For this reason, the National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group (NHBPEP) on Children has established new blood pressure guidelines. They recommend that children have their blood pressure checked regularly beginning at age 13.
Until recently doctors have monitored blood pressure in young children primarily after an illness occurred. Hypertension was considered a symptom of or a reaction to the illness rather than a possible cause. Doctors are now being urged to look at blood pressure during routine pediatric visits and before illness occurs.
The latest study by the NHBPEP not only offers guidelines on determining levels of high blood pressure in children but it also offers clinical recommendations on how best to treat hypertensions. The latter range from increased physical activity to drug therapy.
The most important risk of high blood pressure in children is obesity. If a child suffers from high blood pressure, or hypertension, his or her risk of being obese is also high.
Blood pressure levels vary slightly according to gender and height, but the following is what is considered "normal" in boys in the 90th percentile for height:
- For 3 years - 108 over 63 mm
- 6 years - 113 over 72 mm
- 12 years - 123 over 78 mm
- 16 years - 133 over 82 mm
While the numbers may look close; but if a 3 year old child has the blood pressure of a 12 or 16 year old, there is reason for concern.
Before a child can be considered at risk for hypertension, his or her pressure must be checked several times. Your pediatrician will want at least three readings, each from different office visits, to determine consistent levels of a child's blood pressure.
Children under 3 who were born with low birth weight, who had prolonged hospital stays, have congenital heart disease or are on medications that may increase their heart rate should also be checked with regularity. Otherwise, it is best to wait until a child turns 3 to begin monitoring.
The full of the Fourth Report on Diagnosis, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents published in Pediatrics magazine is available at:
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/heart/hbp/hbp_ped.htm
Information on all aspects of blood pressure, hypertension, diagnosis and treatment is available at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (a division of the National Institute of Health) web site:
www.nhlbi.nih.gov