Blood pressure in children and adolescents.

Blood pressure (BP) levels were recorded in 2223 male and 2205 female children and adolescents ranging in age from 7 to 18 years. In addition, 521 male adults (soldiers) ranging in age from 21 to 25 years were included in the study. Children and adolescents who participated in the survey were selected at random the Elementary and High Schools. The results of the study showed that a gradual increase occurred in the systolic, as well as in the diastolic component of blood pressure from 7 to 18 years of age. By contrast, there was no increase with age in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the young male adult subjects, who had BP measurements comparable to those observed in children. A child was characterized as hypertensive according to the criteria outlined by Master et al. Children with BP between the 90th and the 95th percentile were considered as suspect hypertensive, whereas those with BP exceeding the 95th percentile were considered definitely hypertensive. The overall incidence of hypertension in children in this survey was 3.1%.