Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

Do hospitalized pediatric patients have weight and blood pressure concerns identified?

Eric J Sleeper1, Adolfo J Ariza, Helen J Binns

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL 60614, USA.

The Journal of Pediatrics
|October 7, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Many hospitalized children have abnormal nutritional status or high blood pressure (BP). Improved systems are needed to interpret these common pediatric inpatient measurements.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Clinical Nutrition
  • Cardiovascular Health

Background:

  • Abnormal nutritional status and elevated blood pressure (BP) are significant health concerns in pediatric populations.
  • Routine measurements of anthropometrics and BP are common in hospitalized children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of abnormal nutritional status and elevated admitting blood pressure (BP) in hospitalized children.
  • To assess the recognition and documentation of these abnormal findings.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective review of 317 hospitalized children's medical records (aged 3-18 years) was conducted.
  • Data included demographics, anthropometric measurements, BP, and related care. Body mass index (BMI) and BP percentiles were calculated using US references.

Main Results:

  • 20% of subjects were obese, 8% were underweight. BMI was calculated for only 35% of subjects.
  • 6% had BP >99th percentile + 5 mm Hg; 18% had BP between the 95th and 99th percentiles.
  • Nutrition referrals were documented for 61% of underweight and 39% of obese children. BP concerns were noted for 26% of those with severely elevated BP.

Conclusions:

  • A significant proportion of pediatric inpatients exhibit abnormal nutritional status or elevated BP.
  • Current systems inadequately interpret these routinely collected data, highlighting a need for improvement.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure01:10

Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure

Accurate blood pressure assessment is crucial for diagnosing and managing various health conditions. To ensure the reliability of these measurements, healthcare professionals must adhere to standardized pre-procedural guidelines. These guidelines enhance patient safety and improve the overall quality of healthcare. The following steps are essential for obtaining accurate and consistent blood pressure readings, from using the appropriate tools to ensuring effective communication with the patient.
Blood Pressure01:30

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure or force of blood exerted on the artery's walls as it circulates through the body. It is essential for maintaining blood flow throughout the body.
The average BP in an adult is typically around 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). In this measurement, the numerator (120) indicates the systolic pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries during the contraction of the heart's ventricles as blood is expelled. The denominator (80) represents the diastolic...
Special considerations while measuring blood pressure01:28

Special considerations while measuring blood pressure

When assessing blood pressure (BP), healthcare professionals must consider various factors and potential unexpected outcomes to ensure accurate readings and provide proper patient care. Adhering to these guidelines is essential to achieving the most reliable results.
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients01:21

Drug Dosing: Obese Patients

In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...