Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026
09:45
Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Children
Published on: April 29, 2013
Casual blood pressure in school children in Kaduna, Nigeria
Tropical and Geographical Medicine
|September 1, 1978
Insights
In Nigeria, 3.5% of healthy school children had elevated blood pressure. This study found no significant sex-based differences in blood pressure patterns among pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hypertension is a growing global health concern, even in pediatric populations.
- Establishing baseline blood pressure norms in diverse populations is crucial for early detection.
- Childhood hypertension can predict adult cardiovascular disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of elevated blood pressure in healthy school children in Kaduna, Nigeria.
- To identify potential sex-based differences in blood pressure measurements within this cohort.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving casual blood pressure measurements.
- Inclusion of 600 healthy school children from Kaduna, Nigeria.
- Analysis of blood pressure data relative to age-specific means and standard deviations.
Main Results:
- A total of 600 children participated in the study.
- 21 children (3.5%) exhibited blood pressure exceeding two standard deviations above the mean for their age.
- No statistically significant differences were observed in mean blood pressure patterns between male and female participants.
Conclusions:
- A notable prevalence of elevated blood pressure exists in Nigerian school children.
- The findings highlight the need for pediatric hypertension screening in this region.
- Blood pressure norms in Nigerian children appear consistent across sexes.
Abstract:
Casual blood pressure was measured in 600 healthy school children in Kaduna, Nigeria. Of these children, 21 (3.5%) had blood pressure more than two standard deviations above the mean for age. There was no significant difference in the pattern of mean blood pressure in both sexes.
More Related Videos
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:
01:11Assessing Blood pressure in the Leg
Proper measurement of leg blood pressure is a critical skill for healthcare providers, ensuring precise and reliable readings. When performed correctly, this procedure informs patient care and enhances the efficacy of interventions. The following text outlines step-by-step guidelines to measure blood pressure in the leg, providing clarity and ease of understanding for practitioners.
Preparation:
Preparation:
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.