Blood pressure and self-assessment of female sexual maturation

The relationship of sexual maturation to blood pressure was investigated in a sample (n = 361) of white, non-Hispanic females, aged 7-18 years. Sexual maturation was determined by self-assessment. Systolic and fourth- and fifth-phase diastolic blood pressures increased significantly with increasing maturation. Body mass index, breast development, and pubic hair growth explained 29% of the systolic blood pressure variance and 23% of the fourth- and fifth-phase diastolic blood pressure variances. The interpretation of a child's or adolescent's blood pressure should take into account his or her stage of sexual maturation and body size. A consideration of growth and maturation may contribute to studies of the natural history of blood pressure.