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[Correlations between blood pressure values, familial hypertension and anthropometric parameters in a sample of
1Istituto di Clinica Pediatrica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italia.
Insights
Pediatric blood pressure monitoring is crucial, as childhood hypertension can precede adult hypertension. Early detection and intervention, including lifestyle changes and regular measurements, are vital for preventing long-term cardiovascular issues.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Public Health
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Hypertension in adults may originate in childhood.
- Routine blood pressure evaluation in children is increasingly common.
- Childhood high blood pressure values can be precursors to adult hypertension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in relation to height, weight, ponderosity index, and family history in 3-year-old children.
- To identify correlations between blood pressure and anthropometric measurements.
- To assess the impact of family history of hypertension on children's blood pressure.
Main Methods:
- Study included 261 children (139 boys, 122 girls) aged 3 years.
- Measured SBP, DBP, height, weight, and ponderosity index.
- Assessed family history of hypertension, categorizing children into three groups based on affected relatives.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in SBP between male and female children.
- Significant positive correlations between SBP/DBP and weight/height/ponderosity index observed in males, but not females.
- The strongest correlation (r=0.43) was between DBP and weight.
- Children with affected parents or siblings had higher average SBP and DBP compared to those with other affected relatives or no family history.
Conclusions:
- Early childhood is a critical period for hypertension prevention through nutritional education and serial blood pressure monitoring.
- Identifying children with borderline blood pressure values is essential for timely intervention.
- Family history is a significant indicator for elevated blood pressure in young children.
Abstract:
Nowadays evaluation of blood pressure in children is almost routine. In fact hypertension in adults may be preceded by high blood pressure values in childhood. In this study the authors examined systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), height, weight, ponderosity index and family history of hypertension, in 261 3-year-old children, 139 boys and 122 girls. Average values of SBP were slightly but not significantly higher in males. Coefficients of linear regression and correlation for any pair of the different parameters (SBP-DBP and weight, SBP-DBP and height, SBP-DPB and ponderosity index) were all significantly positive for males, but not for females. The most significant value (r = 0.43) was in the correlation DBP-weight. In studying the family history of hypertension all children were divided into three groups: negative (F.I.-), positive with brothers and/or parents affected (F.I. I+) and positive with other relatives affected (F.I. II+). Average SBP and DPB in the second group were higher than in the third, and much higher than in the first group. These results suggest the importance of prevention in early childhood with alimentary education and serial blood pressure measurements. The individuation of borderline values is also very important.