Blood Pressure & Kids

National Pediatric Blood Pressure Awareness Foundation 501(c)(3)

NPBPAF
National Pediatric Blood Pressure Awareness Foundation

Did you know that blood pressure values are very different for children as compared to adults?
BP values for children vary depending on age, gender, height, and weight.

Below is a simplified abnormal blood pressure screening table. This is information obtained from David C. Kaelber and Frieda Pickett and was published in an article from the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Who should be taking blood pressure measurements for children?

pediatricians

any family pracitice physician who sees children

any medical practice including dentists, eye doctors, etc. that treats children

any facility including emergency departments, after hours clinics, and walk in clinics that treats children

Children who need blood pressure screens:

all children ages 3 and older
children who may be considred to be overweight

in some instances children younger than 3 should have routine screens. These children include those born with a low birth weight, born prematurely, had a prolonged hospital stay, have congenital heart disease, renal issues, or those on medication that may increase their heart rate.

For a child to be given a diagnosis of hypertension, they must have three separate elevated blood pressure readings. One elevated measurement does not necessarily mean your child has high blood pressure. However, it is enough to warrant having additional readings to rule out hypertension.

If your child's healthcare provider does not routinely take their blood pressure, don't be afraid to ask. Your child's health is important enough to speak up. The NPBPAF is working hard so that one day soon it will not be up to you to ask. It will be done automatically just as height and weight are.

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