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Blood pressure profiles and hypertension in Iraqi primary school children.
Saudi Med J. 2006 Apr; 27(4):482-6.SM

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate blood pressure (BP) levels and the prevalence of hypertension (HT); as well as to address some epidemiological variables which contributes to BP and suggest certain primordial guidelines for control and prevention of childhood HT.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study recruiting 1427 (46.1% boys versus 53.9% girls) school aged students (6-12 years) from 8 primary schools in Baghdad during the period November 2001 to May 2002. The BP readings were plotted adopting principles of the 1996 American Task Force on High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents.

RESULTS

For both genders, the combined mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 106.66 +/- 9.03 mm Hg and combined mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 67.09 +/- 7.98 mm Hg. There was no significant statistical differences noted with respect to SBP and DBP among boys and girls except at the age range of 10-12 years, where girls manifest higher SBP (p<0.01) and DBP (p<0.05) than boys. Obesity was reported in 7.3% of sample with significant girl's preponderance (3.2% for boys versus 4.1% for girls, p<0.05). Hypertension was recorded 1.8 fold higher among obese (4.7%) than non-obese children (2.6%) (p<0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed positive and significant correlation of age, weight, height and body mass index with each SBP and DBP. The overall prevalence of HT was 1.7% with significantly higher systolic HT (1.1%) than diastolic HT (0.6%) (p<0.05) but with no significant gender distribution (0.8% for boys versus 0.9% for girls). For both genders in the hypertensive group, the mean SBP was 127.66 +/- 5.46 mm Hg and DBP was 77.26 +/- 6.19 mm Hg.

CONCLUSION

Despite the low prevalence of our childhood HT (1.7%) compared to some Arabian and foreign countries, careful approach to the problem deems crucial through routine recording of BP and constructing our own national nomograms, age, gender and height specific, inspired from our nutritional, cultural, ethnic and social backgrounds. Moreover, implementing school heart health curriculum seems tentative to interrupt or ameliorate progression of HT as our children enter adulthood.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Subhi MD
Department of Pediatrics, Al-Kindy College of Medicine, Baghdad University, Al-Jadiryiah, PO Box 47188, Baghdad, Iraq. malmendalawi@yahoo.com

MeSH

Blood PressureChildCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansHypertensionIraqMalePrevalenceReference ValuesSex Distribution

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

16598324

Citation

Subhi, Mahmood D.. "Blood Pressure Profiles and Hypertension in Iraqi Primary School Children." Saudi Medical Journal, vol. 27, no. 4, 2006, pp. 482-6.
Subhi MD. Blood pressure profiles and hypertension in Iraqi primary school children. Saudi Med J. 2006;27(4):482-6.
Subhi, M. D. (2006). Blood pressure profiles and hypertension in Iraqi primary school children. Saudi Medical Journal, 27(4), 482-6.
Subhi MD. Blood Pressure Profiles and Hypertension in Iraqi Primary School Children. Saudi Med J. 2006;27(4):482-6. PubMed PMID: 16598324.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Blood pressure profiles and hypertension in Iraqi primary school children. A1 - Subhi,Mahmood D, PY - 2006/4/7/pubmed PY - 2006/8/2/medline PY - 2006/4/7/entrez SP - 482 EP - 6 JF - Saudi medical journal JO - Saudi Med J VL - 27 IS - 4 N2 - OBJECTIVE: To elucidate blood pressure (BP) levels and the prevalence of hypertension (HT); as well as to address some epidemiological variables which contributes to BP and suggest certain primordial guidelines for control and prevention of childhood HT. METHODS: A cross-sectional study recruiting 1427 (46.1% boys versus 53.9% girls) school aged students (6-12 years) from 8 primary schools in Baghdad during the period November 2001 to May 2002. The BP readings were plotted adopting principles of the 1996 American Task Force on High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents. RESULTS: For both genders, the combined mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 106.66 +/- 9.03 mm Hg and combined mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 67.09 +/- 7.98 mm Hg. There was no significant statistical differences noted with respect to SBP and DBP among boys and girls except at the age range of 10-12 years, where girls manifest higher SBP (p<0.01) and DBP (p<0.05) than boys. Obesity was reported in 7.3% of sample with significant girl's preponderance (3.2% for boys versus 4.1% for girls, p<0.05). Hypertension was recorded 1.8 fold higher among obese (4.7%) than non-obese children (2.6%) (p<0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed positive and significant correlation of age, weight, height and body mass index with each SBP and DBP. The overall prevalence of HT was 1.7% with significantly higher systolic HT (1.1%) than diastolic HT (0.6%) (p<0.05) but with no significant gender distribution (0.8% for boys versus 0.9% for girls). For both genders in the hypertensive group, the mean SBP was 127.66 +/- 5.46 mm Hg and DBP was 77.26 +/- 6.19 mm Hg. CONCLUSION: Despite the low prevalence of our childhood HT (1.7%) compared to some Arabian and foreign countries, careful approach to the problem deems crucial through routine recording of BP and constructing our own national nomograms, age, gender and height specific, inspired from our nutritional, cultural, ethnic and social backgrounds. Moreover, implementing school heart health curriculum seems tentative to interrupt or ameliorate progression of HT as our children enter adulthood. SN - 0379-5284 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/16598324/Blood_pressure_profiles_and_hypertension_in_Iraqi_primary_school_children_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -