Blood Pressure Variation with Altitudes in Children: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study from Himalayan Hills

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health
• Environmental Medicine
• Cardiovascular Physiology

Background:

• Blood pressure (BP) reference ranges are crucial for pediatric health assessment.
• Environmental factors, such as altitude, may influence physiological parameters like BP.
• Understanding altitude-related BP variations is important for accurate diagnosis in diverse populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of varying altitudes on blood pressure (BP) in Indian children.
• To establish altitude-specific BP trends in a pediatric population.
• To provide data for the correct interpretation of BP readings in children residing at high altitudes.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1229 school-going children aged 5-12 years across five altitude levels in the Himalayas.
• Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured using a calibrated aneroid sphygmomanometer.
• Data analysis involved calculating mean BP values and using analysis of covariance to assess the relationship between BP and altitude, controlling for age.

Main Results:

• Both SBP and DBP showed a statistically significant progressive rise with increasing altitude.
• Mean SBP increased from 99.5 mmHg near sea level to 106.7 mmHg at 8000 feet.
• Mean DBP rose from 60.1 mmHg near sea level to 66.8 mmHg at 8000 feet, with a higher prevalence of elevated BP at higher altitudes.

Conclusions:

• Altitude is a significant factor influencing blood pressure levels in Indian children.
• The findings highlight a modest but statistically significant increase in both SBP and DBP with higher altitudes.
• These results are vital for the accurate interpretation of BP measurements in pediatric populations living in high-altitude regions.