[Arterial pressure in the school-age child; distribution and correlation with chronological and anthropometric variables].

The aim of the present study is to establish the normal patterns of blood pressure and the correlations with chronologic and anthropometric variables (age, body, weight, body height and body surface) in childhood. Blood pressures were taken in 1,310 children (727 male, 583 female) ages 4-14 years employing mercury sphygmomanometer, and taking for assessment of diastolic pressure Korotkoff's fifth phase. Study of single correlations showed significant increase of systolic blood pressure with every variable (p less than 0.001); the more predictable was body weight, and the less one, age. There were not significant relationships between diastolic pressure and any other variable; in the same way, there were not significant differences of blood pressures between both sexes. Multiple correlations established the following predictive order: Body weight, age and height. Authors show empirical and theoretical percentiles of blood pressure in relationship with variables: Age, body height and body weight.