Blood Pressure Pattern in School Children, Abadir Elementary School Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Elevation of the systemic arterial blood pressllre represents one of the most common problems in
clinical medicine. In contrast to the experience in adults, the incidence of hypertension in children is
qllite low.
The objective of this study was to see the pallern of BP in school aged children and its relalion to
age. sex. "'eight alld height. All children. age 6 through 12 year in Abadir elementary school. Lideta
sub city. A.A. formed the study populOlion. Blood pressure measurements were made according to
recommendations made by the second task force on Blood pressure conlrol in children the mean
syslOlic and mean diastolic BP for bOlh sexes combined was 97.86 ± 9.73 and 70.5 J ± B.60 mmHg,
respectil·ely. There was no significant difference between bOlh the mean systolic (p =0.201) and
diaslolic (p=0.750) oj boys and girls. The blood pressure oj boys increased wilh age (p=O.OOI)
while there was no significant increment or change of BP of girls with age (p >0.3). From this swdy
if was observed the height -for -age did nol show an effecl on BP bUI the effect of weight for age was
Significant only on boys (p=O.OOJ). Though Ihe study had its own limitalions the findings are worlh
to be takel1up as a base IineforfullIre more conclusive studies