Hypertension in children is defined as an average systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure equal to or greater than the 95th percentile for age on at least 3 occasions. Children with hypertension will often have an identifiable underlying cause.
Blood pressure measurement:
(1) The widest possible cuff that will comfortably encircle the arm without covering the antecubital fossa should be used.
(2) In small infants Doppler instruments can be used to provide accurate pressure measurements.
(3) At least 3 measurements should be made.
|
Systolic Blood Pressure in mm Hg |
High Normal (90-94%ile) |
Significant Hypertension (95-99%ile) |
Severe Hypertension (> 99%ile) |
|
newborns at 7 days |
|
96-105 |
>= 106 |
|
newborns at 8-30 days |
|
104-109 |
>= 110 |
|
infants <= 2 years |
104-111 |
112-117 |
>= 118 |
|
children 3-5 years |
108-115 |
116-123 |
>= 124 |
|
children 6-9 years |
114-121 |
122-129 |
>= 130 |
|
children 10-12 years |
122-125 |
126-133 |
>= 134 |
|
children 13-15 years |
130-135 |
136-143 |
>= 144 |
|
adolescents 16-18 years |
136-141 |
142-149 |
>= 150 |
|
Diastolic Blood Pressure in mm Hg |
High Normal (90-94%ile) |
Significant Hypertension (95-99%ile) |
Severe Hypertension (> 99%ile) |
|
infants <= 2 years |
70-73 |
74-81 |
>= 82 |
|
children 3-5 years |
70-75 |
76-83 |
>= 84 |
|
children 6-9 years |
74-77 |
78-85 |
>= 86 |
|
children 10-12 years |
78-81 |
82-89 |
>= 90 |
|
children 13-15 years |
80-85 |
86-91 |
>= 92 |
|
adolescents 16-18 years |
84-91 |
92-97 |
>= 98 |
If a child is found to have hypertension, other family members should also be screened for elevated blood pressure.
Purpose: To diagnose hypertension in children by careful assessment of the clinical data.
Specialty: Cardiology
Objective: other testing, severity, prognosis, stage
ICD-10: I10, I11, I12, I13, I15,
