Effect of Position on Blood Pressure in Infants
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 3, 2026
11:40
Quantitative Autonomic Testing
Published on: July 19, 2011
Clinical Pediatrics
|November 1, 1979
Insights
Infant blood pressure measurements are not significantly affected by position. Results suggest prioritizing infant comfort during blood pressure readings in the first year of life.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Cardiovascular Health
- Infant Physiology
Background:
- Accurate blood pressure measurement in infants is crucial for monitoring cardiovascular health.
- Standardizing measurement techniques, including infant positioning, is essential for reliable data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of infant position (propped vs. lying) on blood pressure readings.
- To determine if infant position influences the consistency of blood pressure measurements over time.
Main Methods:
- Blood pressure was recorded in 71 infants at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of age.
- Measurements were taken in both propped and lying positions for each infant.
- Analysis focused on mean values and the correlation of measurements over the study period.
Main Results:
- Infant position demonstrated minimal effect on mean blood pressure values.
- Position did not significantly alter the correlation of blood pressure measurements taken over time.
- Variability in readings was not substantially influenced by whether the infant was propped or lying down.
Conclusions:
- The position of an infant during blood pressure measurement has little impact on the accuracy or reliability of the readings.
- Clinical practice should prioritize infant comfort when performing blood pressure measurements in early childhood.
- Comfortable positioning may lead to more cooperative and less stressed infants, potentially improving measurement quality.
Abstract:
In order to estimate the effect of position on blood pressure measurements during the first year of life, pressures were recorded for 71 infants at one, three, six and twelve months of age in both the propped and lying positions. The position of the infant appeared to have little effect on mean values or upon the correlation of measurements over time. These results favor the use of a position for blood pressure measurement during infancy which places primary importance upon the comfort of the child.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Blood Pressure
Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure or force of blood exerted on the artery's walls as it circulates through the body. It is essential for maintaining blood flow throughout the body.
The average BP in an adult is typically around 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). In this measurement, the numerator (120) indicates the systolic pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries during the contraction of the heart's ventricles as blood is expelled. The denominator (80) represents the diastolic...
The average BP in an adult is typically around 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury). In this measurement, the numerator (120) indicates the systolic pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries during the contraction of the heart's ventricles as blood is expelled. The denominator (80) represents the diastolic...
01:28Factors affecting Blood pressure
Several physiological and lifestyle factors influence blood pressure (BP). Understanding these factors is crucial as they are significant in patient education and blood pressure management.
Physiological Factors:
Physiological Factors:
01:21Sites for measuring blood pressure
Blood pressure measurement is a fundamental clinical procedure, providing crucial data for assessing cardiovascular health. Among the various sites for this measurement, the brachial and popliteal arteries are predominantly utilized due to their accessibility and the reliability of their readings. This lesson delves into the anatomical significance, methodology, and considerations of measuring blood pressure at these locations.
The Brachial Artery: Primary Site for Blood Pressure Measurement
The Brachial Artery: Primary Site for Blood Pressure Measurement
01:28Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
When assessing blood pressure (BP), healthcare professionals must consider various factors and potential unexpected outcomes to ensure accurate readings and provide proper patient care. Adhering to these guidelines is essential to achieving the most reliable results.
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.
01:24Blood Pressure
The movement of blood in a human body, commonly referred to as blood flow, is determined by the volume of blood that traverses a certain section of the bodily system per unit time. It is the rhythmic contraction of the heart's ventricles that primarily instigates this movement. As the ventricles contract, blood is forced into the prominent arteries, which then flow from areas of greater pressure to lower pressure areas. This movement continues into smaller arteries and arterioles and...
01:17Measurement of Blood Pressure
Assessing blood pressure is a standard procedure executed in virtually all medical environments. The method utilized today was established over a hundred years ago by an innovative Russian doctor, Dr. Nikolai Korotkoff. The soft ticking noise, known as Korotkoff sounds, heard while taking blood pressure readings results from turbulent blood flow within the vessels. The apparatus required for this procedure includes a sphygmomanometer, a blood pressure cuff attached to a gauge, and a stethoscope.