Methods of blood pressure measurement in children: problematic issues and ways to address them
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15574/SP.2025.8(152).8796Keywords:
arterial hypertension, children, measurement methodsAbstract
Arterial hypertension in children is a relevant medical and social problem, characterized by a growing prevalence and a high risk of developing cardiovascular complications in adulthood. The specific features of its clinical course in childhood, often asymptomatic presentation, as well as difficulties in interpreting blood pressure values, lead to delayed diagnosis of the disease. The correct choice of blood pressure measurement method and proper interpretation of the obtained results are key elements in disease diagnosis.
Aim - to analyze and compare modern methods of blood pressure measurement in children, assess their advantages and limitations, and determine their significance in the clinical management of patients with arterial hypertension syndrome.
A systematic analysis of scientific publications, clinical guidelines, and conference materials indexed in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases over the past 10 years was conducted. The auscultatory method remains the “gold standard” for confirming elevated blood pressure in children, while oscillometric devices are convenient for screening and home monitoring. Office blood pressure measurement is the basic diagnostic tool; however, it has limitations due to the “white coat” effect and the risk of missing masked hypertension. Automated office blood pressure measurement shows promise in reducing psychological influence and achieving better agreement with ambulatory readings. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is identified as the most informative method for detecting hypertension phenotypes, assessing circadian rhythms, and identifying target organ damage. Home blood pressure monitoring complements office-based methods and contributes to improved disease control and treatment adherence.
Conclusions. No single method of blood pressure measurement is universal. A rational combination of office and ambulatory methods increases the accuracy of diagnosing arterial hypertension in children, enables timely detection of hidden forms of the disease, optimizes treatment strategies, and reduces the risk of future cardiovascular complications.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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