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[Blood pressure from 0 to 18 months. Use of an automatic measurement method]
Insights
This study found that black infants had lower blood pressure than non-black infants, despite being larger and older. Blood pressure in non-black infants increased with age, weight, and height.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Cardiovascular Health
- Neonatal Research
Background:
- Establishing normal blood pressure ranges in infants is crucial for early detection of cardiovascular issues.
- Previous research on infant blood pressure has varied, necessitating further investigation into influencing factors like race and age.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively measure blood pressure in neonates and infants up to 18 months.
- To analyze the influence of race, sex, age, weight, and height on systolic arterial pressure (SAP) and diastolic arterial pressure (DAP).
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 251 neonates and infants aged 0-18 months.
- Utilized an automatic measurement method for blood pressure.
- Analyzed data for differences based on race, sex, age, weight, and height.
Main Results:
- Black infants (n=33) were taller, heavier, and older but had lower SAP and DAP compared to other groups, particularly between 9-18 months.
- No significant differences in blood pressure were observed based on North African, white, or other racial categories, or by sex.
- In non-black infants (n=218), SAP and DAP significantly increased with age, weight, and height.
- Mean SAP rose from 86.8 mmHg (0-1 month) to 108 mmHg (9-12 months); mean DAP rose from 52.5 mmHg (0-1 month) to 65.5 mmHg (9-12 months).
Conclusions:
- Infant blood pressure is influenced by factors including age, weight, and height, with distinct patterns observed between racial groups.
- Lower blood pressure in black infants warrants further investigation into potential underlying physiological or environmental factors.
- Established age-specific percentiles for SAP and DAP, providing valuable reference data for pediatricians.
Abstract:
A prospective study of blood pressure in 251 neonates and infants aged 0 to 18 months was undertaken with an automatic measurement method. Children of black race (n = 33) were taller (p less than 0.05), heavier (p less than 0.025) and older (p less than 0.001) than the rest of the sample, but had lower systolic (SAP) and diastolic arterial pressures (DAP), especially between 9 and 18 months (p less than 0.01). There was no significant difference according to race [North Africans (n = 50), white (n = 143) and the others (n = 25)], or to sex. For the sample (n = 218) of non black children, SAP and DAP increased with age (p less than 0.001), weight (p less than 0.001) and height (p less than 0.001). Percentiles were determined in each age class for SAP and DAP. Mean pressure figures increased from 86.8 mmHg (0-1 month) to 108 mmHg (9-12 months) for SAP and from 52.5 mmHg (0-1 month) to 65.5 mmHg (9-12 months) for DAP.