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Oscillometric blood pressure values in infants at 3, 6 and 12 months of age: a cohort study

Elin Ørbeck Vallevik1,2, Mads Nikolaj Holten-Andersen3,2, Karin C Lødrup Carlsen2,4

  • 1Department of Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Lillehammer, Norway elin.orbeck.vallevik@sykehuset-innlandet.no.

BMJ Paediatrics Open
|June 19, 2026
PubMed

Insights

This study establishes reference blood pressure (BP) values for healthy infants at 3, 6, and 12 months using oscillometric measurements. BP readings remained consistent across these infant age points.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Cardiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Establishing normative blood pressure (BP) data in infants is crucial for early detection of cardiovascular risks.
  • Existing reference values for infant BP are limited, particularly for oscillometric methods.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine reference blood pressure (BP) values in a cohort of healthy infants.
  • To provide reliable BP data at 3, 6, and 12 months of age.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based mother-child cohort study was conducted in Norway and Sweden.
  • Infant oscillometric BP was measured at 3, 6, and 12 months in a cohort of 2100 infants.
  • Successful BP measurements required three readings in a calm state.

Main Results:

  • Reference BP values were established for 1778 infants.
  • Median systolic/diastolic BP (mean arterial pressure) at 3 months was 95/56 (69) mm Hg.
  • BP measurements showed consistency at 6 months (96/57 (72) mm Hg) and 12 months (95/57 (71) mm Hg).

Conclusions:

  • This study provides essential reference values for oscillometric BP in healthy infants.
  • Consistent BP measurements were observed across the first year of life.
  • These findings support the use of oscillometric BP monitoring in infant health surveillance.
Abstract

Keywords:
CardiologyNephrology

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