Blood pressure to height ratio: A novel method for detecting hypertension in paediatric age groups

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A novel method for detecting hypertension in paediatric age groups has recently been formulated using ratios of systolic blood pressure to height (SBPHR) and diastolic blood pressure to height (DBPHR). AIM: To validate this approach and assess its applicability to children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 6837 children and adolescents five to 18 years of age was conducted. Blood pressure (BP) readings obtained were stratified using population-based percentiles from the United States. RESULTS: For SBPHR and DBPHR, areas under the ROC curve were >0.9 for BP at or above the 95th percentile. Performance of the cut-oft points for detecting elevated BP in adolescents 13 to 18 years of age compared favourably with previous studies, showing high sensitivity and specificity (>95%). SBPHR and DBPHR also proved satisfactory when applied to children five to 12 years of age. Nevertheless, performance was lower for BP between the 90th and 95th percentiles. CONCLUSIONS: BP to height ratios are a practical means for detecting elevated BP in adolescents and children. © 2013 Pulsus Group Inc.