Blood pressure among school children in jordan

A prospective study was carried out over a three-year period (1993-95) on 4469 school children drawn from 20 different schools in rural areas of Jordan. There were 2592 males and 1877 females aged between 6-16 years. The height, weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) were recorded for both sexes followed by complete clinical examination. The BP was recorded according to the criteria laid down by the second task force on BP in children, using mercury sphygmomanometers, in sitting position and in the right arm. Data were analyzed and the percentiles were calculated for each age-group in both sexes. Both systolic and diastolic BP had positive correlation with age, height, weight and body surface area. There were no differences in the systolic BP for both sexes of corresponding age, while there was a difference in the diastolic. The upper limits of normal, 90th percentile, systolic/diastolic pressures were 116/76, 122/80, 128/81 and 139/86 in children aged 6-8 years, 9-11 years, 12-14, and 15-16 years respectively, with prevalence of 13.35% (n = 596). The lower limits of hypertension, 95th percentile, for systolic/diastolic pressures were 122/81, 126/83, 134/84, and 142/88 mm Hg in each of the same age-groups respectively, with prevalence of 6.85% ( = 306), while for severe hypertension, 99th percentile, for the same age-groups the values were 131/86, 134/87, 145/89 and 154/90 mm Hg respectively, with prevalence of 1.95% (n = 87). The findings in this study were consistent with international data. We emphasize the need for regular check up of BP in our children. Also, further studies are necessary including other areas of Jordan and smaller age-group children.