4/2007Arterial hipertension prevalence among children and adolescents aged 7–17 living in Lodz

PRZEMYSŁAW KARDAS (Pierwszy Zakład Medycyny Rodzinnej Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Łodzi; Kierownik: dr n. med. Przemysław Kardas)

Background
Hypertension is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in adult population. Despite it occurs in children and adolescents, most of the hypertension cases in this age group remain undiagnosed.

Material and methods
The study covered children and adolescents aged 7–17, attending four primary, three grammar and three secondary schools in Lódz. Blood pressure measurements were collected three times, with the use of the mercury sphygmomanometer. Diastolic blood pressure was determined with fifth Korotkoff sound. The values obtained were compared with the normal values, and the hypertension was diagnosed whether systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure was equal or exceeded the 95th percentile for age, gender and height.

Results
Altogether, blood pressure measurements were collected in 3111 children and adolescents, including 1627 girls and 1484 boys. According to the ambulatory measurement, hypertension was diagnosed in 5.4% stud- ied children and adolescents (4.8% in girls, 6.1% in boys, p > 0.05). Hypertension diagnosis was further confirmed according to in-depth diagnostics in 6 out of 10 hospitalised cases.

Key words: arterial hypertension, blood pressure measurement, hypertension prevalence in children and adolescents.