European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: Adult hypertension is more common as people get older, affecting 15% of young adults and 60% of people over 65. 1 It is crucial to identify kids and teenagers who have a higher risk of acquiring essential (primary) hypertension as adults since blood pressure in children is an excellent predictor of blood pressure in adults.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To study the prevalence of elevated blood pressure in children of age group 11-15 years.

2. To study the relation of blood pressure with age, weight, height, BMI & family history of hypertension.

MATERIAL & METHODS: Study Design: Prospective Observational Cross sectional study. Study Period: Jan 2022 – Dec. 2022. Study population: School going children of age group 11-15yrs. Sample size: Study consisted a total of 601 subjects. Sampling Technique:  Simple Random technique. Study tools and Data collection procedure: The study is a School based cross sectional study. A team of four members were formed to collect the data and prior training was given to record anthropometric data and to record blood pressure. The school authorities were informed prior and permission was taken from principal of every school. The message was given by school authorities to children to remain present during the visit of study team. Information regarding number of schools was obtained from Officer of Board of Secondary Education after explaining the importance of the study. 3 schools were selected randomly and selected schools were visited. The purpose of conducting the study was explained elaborately to the heads of all the schools before initiation of study.

Results: Out of 601 children ,119 children were having family history of HTN and 482 children were not having family history of HTN. Out of 119 children having family history of HTN,22 children (18.5%) were having elevated BP,35 children (29.4%)were hypertensive,62 children (52.1%) were normotensive. Out of 482 children without family history of HTN,78 children (16.2%)were having elevated BP,49 children (10.2%)were hypertensive,355 children (73.7%)were normotensive. This shows that family history of HTN is a risk factor for elevated BP & HTN in children.