Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026
Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training
Published on: July 27, 2022
Office, ambulatory and home blood pressure measurement in children and adolescents
Nikos Karpettas1, Anastasios Kollias, Andriani Vazeou
1Hypertension Center, Third University Department of Medicine, Sotiria Hospital, 152 Mesogion Avenue, Athens 11527, Greece.
Insights
Pediatric hypertension is rising with obesity. Out-of-office blood pressure (BP) monitoring, like ambulatory monitoring, is crucial for accurate diagnosis, moving beyond potentially misleading office BP measurements.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Cardiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Pediatric hypertension prevalence is increasing, linked to the childhood obesity epidemic.
- Traditional office blood pressure (BP) measurements can be misleading due to white coat and masked hypertension.
- Out-of-office BP monitoring methods are gaining importance for accurate diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of out-of-office blood pressure monitoring in pediatric hypertension.
- To discuss the role of ambulatory and home BP monitoring in clinical decision-making for children.
- To emphasize the need for accurate diagnostic tools in pediatric hypertension.
Main Methods:
- Review of current practices in pediatric hypertension assessment.
- Discussion of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) as an indispensable tool.
- Evaluation of preliminary data on home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) in children.
Main Results:
- Office BP measurements may not accurately reflect a child's true BP status.
- Ambulatory monitoring is considered essential for diagnosing pediatric hypertension.
- Home monitoring shows promise, but requires further research for definitive conclusions.
Conclusions:
- Accurate diagnosis of pediatric hypertension necessitates out-of-office BP assessment.
- Ambulatory monitoring is the gold standard for evaluating elevated BP in children.
- Established BP normalcy tables for office, ambulatory, and home monitoring should be utilized.
Abstract:
There is an increasing interest in pediatric hypertension, the prevalence of which is rising in parallel with the obesity epidemic. Traditionally the assessment of hypertension in children has relied on office blood pressure (BP) measurements by the physician. However, as in adults, office BP might be misleading in children mainly due to the white coat and masked hypertension phenomena. Thus, out-of-office BP assessment, using ambulatory or home monitoring, has gained ground for the accurate diagnosis of hypertension and decision-making. Ambulatory monitoring is regarded as indispensable for the evaluation of pediatric hypertension. Preliminary data support the usefulness of home monitoring, yet more evidence is needed. Office, ambulatory and home BP normalcy tables providing thresholds for diagnosis have been published and should be used for the assessment of elevated BP in children.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Sites for measuring blood pressure
The Brachial Artery: Primary Site for Blood Pressure Measurement
01:30Equipments Used To Measure Blood Pressure
This invasive approach involves cannulating a peripheral artery. During each cardiac contraction, pressure generates mechanical motion within the catheter, transmitted through rigid, fluid-filled tubing to a transducer. This transducer converts mechanical motion into electrical signals displayed as waveforms on a monitor. An automatic flushing system prevents blood backflow. Due to the potential risk of unexpected arterial blood loss, this method is primarily used in intensive...
01:15Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(one-step method)
Prepare for the Procedure:
01:17Measurement of Blood Pressure
01:28Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
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.
01:23Assessment of blood pressure in brachial artery(two-step method)