Blood pressure studies in black children.

Blood pressure measurements were obtained under office conditions by auscultatory method, using appropriate cuff sizes, in 1,668 healthy black children (827 boys and 841 girls) ranging in age from 4 to 17 years. We found no significant difference between the mean systolic blood pressure of black children in our study and that of whites as reported in the literature. However, mean diastolic blood pressure was lower in black children. Some black children (3.6%) were found to have blood pressure more than 2 standard deviations above the mean for their age and should be closely observed for developing hypertensive cardiovascular changes.