The aim of the work was to prepare the percentile curves for blood pressure measured by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in children by height.
Material and methods: ABPM was performed in 852 healthy children aged 7-17 years (433 girls, 419 boys). Systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure was measured for 24 h, including the period of activity and rest, using BR-102 Schiller Poland LTD monitor and Quiet Tycos ABPM, USA. The mean number of readings over the 24-hour period was 58.4+/-4.
Results: The mean SBP in the group of girls with height 120-172 cm increased from 102.2+/-5.5 to 121.0+-7.8 mmHg, and in the group of boys with height 120-180 cm and over from 103.7+/-5.7 to 123.7+/-6.2 mmHg. A strong positive correlation between the height and SBP and weak with DBP was noted. The percentile charts for blood pressure in children aged 7-17 by height were prepared.
Conclusions: The mean systolic blood pressure decreased at night more than diastolic blood pressure, independently of height. Systolic blood pressure was stronger correlated with the height than with the age.