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Comparison of aneroid and oscillometric blood pressure measurements in children
Sigridur B Eliasdottir1, Sandra D Steinthorsdottir, Olafur S Indridason
1Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.
Insights
This study found minimal differences in systolic blood pressure (BP) between aneroid and oscillometric devices in children. However, diastolic BP was lower with oscillometric monitors, highlighting the need for multiple measurements.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Cardiovascular Health
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Accurate blood pressure (BP) measurement is crucial for diagnosing and managing hypertension in children.
- Limited comparative data exist for aneroid and oscillometric BP devices in pediatric populations.
- Understanding device-specific measurement differences is essential for consistent clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare blood pressure readings obtained from oscillometric and aneroid BP monitors in 9- to 10-year-old children.
- To investigate potential discrepancies in systolic and diastolic BP measurements between the two device types.
- To inform best practices for pediatric BP monitoring.
Main Methods:
- A total of 979 children aged 9-10 years participated in the study.
- Participants were randomized into two groups: Group O (oscillometric then aneroid) and Group A (aneroid then oscillometric).
- Two BP readings were taken with each device type sequentially within each group.
Main Results:
- No significant difference was observed in mean systolic BP between oscillometric and aneroid devices (111.5±8.6 vs 111.3±8.1 mm Hg; P=.39).
- Mean diastolic BP was significantly lower when measured with the oscillometric monitor compared to the aneroid device (61.5±8.0 vs 64.5±6.8 mm Hg; P<.001).
- A downward trend in BP readings was noted with consecutive measurements, and limited agreement between devices was found.
Conclusions:
- While systolic BP measurements showed good agreement, diastolic BP readings differed between oscillometric and aneroid devices in children.
- The observed trend of decreasing BP with repeated measurements suggests the need for caution in diagnosis.
- Multiple BP measurements using either device are recommended prior to diagnosing elevated BP or hypertension in pediatric patients.
Abstract:
Limited data exist on the comparison of blood pressure (BP) measurements using aneroid and oscillometric devices. The purpose of the study was to investigate the difference in BP obtained using oscillometric and aneroid BP monitors in 9- to 10-year-old children. A total of 979 children were divided into group O, which underwent two oscillometric BP readings followed by two aneroid readings, and group A, which had BP measured in the reverse order. No significant difference was found between the mean (±standard deviation) of the two systolic BP readings obtained using the oscillometric and aneroid devices (111.5±8.6 vs 111.3±8.1 mm Hg; P=.39), whereas the mean diastolic BP was lower with the oscillometric monitor (61.5±8.0 vs 64.5±6.8 mm Hg; P<.001). A significant downward trend in BP was observed with each consecutive measurement, and agreement between the two monitors was limited. Multiple BP measurements are, therefore, recommended before the diagnosis of elevated BP or hypertension is made with either method.
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