Criteria of normal blood pressure and hypertension in Japanese preschool children.

The blood pressure (BP) of 5332 Japanese preschool children from 2 to 6 years of age was measured using an automated BP recorder (Dinamap Model 8104). The third reading of the consecutive measurement of BP was used for analysis. This study adopted a definition of hypertension developed by The Task Force conducted in the United States in 1987, which showed the 95th percentiles of systolic and diastolic BP for age and sex. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that body height, weight and heart rate had significant effects on both systolic and diastolic BP, whereas age had an effect on diastolic BP only, while sex and area where the subjects lived did not affect either BP. The 95th percentiles of systolic/diastolic BP at 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 years of age were 115/69, 113/68, 114/65, 118/67 and 116/69 mm Hg in boys, and 121/70, 114/69, 115/67, 118/68 and 120/69 mm Hg in girls, respectively. The BP of Japanese preschool children can be evaluated using the data shown in this study.