It is a mistake to think that problems with blood pressure are a matter for the elderly. Absolutely not! This ailment can affect the child. What should be the pressure in children? And is it very different from the norm of an adult?
The problem with
blood pressure in children is much more common than can be assumed. And in order to prevent serious consequences in the future, it is extremely important to monitor the condition of the child and periodically measure his pressure.
It should be said that the measurement results often differ from the data of adults. Normal pressure in children is an order of magnitude lower, so evaluating it by the same standards is categorically wrong.
What does blood pressure depend on ?
Small children have good elasticity of the vascular wall, a larger lumen of the vessel, and better branching of the capillary network. This all directly affects blood pressure. In young children it is lower. Gradually, with age, it grows and reaches the norm of an adult.
The fastest increase in pressure in a child occurs in the first year of his life. By the age of five, the blood pressure of boys and girls is compared in terms of, and then up to nine years old, it rises in boys.
The norm of blood pressure in children
In a newborn baby, blood pressure will average 80/50 mm Hg.
In order not to be wiser with formulas and not to consider, a special table was compiled, in which the pressure of the child is written by age.
Blood pressure, norm by age (table)Child age | Blood pressure (BP), mmHg |
| Systolic pressure | Diastolic pressure |
maximum rate | minimum rate | maximum rate | minimum rate |
| Children from birth to 2 weeks. | 96 | 60 | fifty | 40 |
| from 2 to 4 weeks | 112 | 80 | 74 | 40 |
| from 2 to 12 months | 112 | 90 | 74 | fifty |
| from 2 to 3 years | 112 | 100 | 74 | 60 |
| from 3 to 5 years | 116 | 100 | 76 | 60 |
| from 6 to 9 children | 122 | 100 | 78 | 60 |
| from 10 to 12 years | 126 | 110 | 82 | 70 |
| from 13 to 15 years | 136 | 110 | 86 | 70 |
Features of blood pressure of different ages
What should be the pressure in children from birth to a year?
In such crumbs, blood pressure depends on elasticity, vascular lumen, and the development of the capillary network. Vascular tone is reduced - pressure is reduced accordingly. In a newborn baby, the indicators fluctuate within such limits - 60-96 / 40-50 mm Hg. By the year, blood pressure is gradually growing, this is due to a rapid increase in vascular tone. And by 12 months it is 90-112 / 50-74 mm Hg.
Moms to determine the blood pressure of a child can use the special formula:
(76 + 2 * X), where X is the number of months of the baby.
What is the norm by age for such an indicator as blood pressure ? The table that is presented above demonstrates such information. It will not be difficult to determine the normal indicators for this or that child.
What should be the pressure in children from 2 to 3 years? After 2 years, the increase in blood pressure slows down somewhat, the table shows that it should be about 100-112 / 60-74 mm Hg.
A single increase in pressure is possible, which is not a pathology, so you should not worry about this. But in any case, once again going to the doctor for a consultation does not hurt - vigilance above all.
For babies of this age, there is a different formula: for systolic - (90 + 2 * X), for diastolic - (60 * X), where X is the number of years the child is.
What should be the pressure in children from 3 to 5 years?
At this age, a slow increase in blood pressure is also observed. It can be in such ranges: 110-116 / 60-76 mm Hg. It is also possible a daily decrease and increase in pressure, which is physiological, that is, normal.
What should be the pressure in children from 6 to 9 years? In principle, it remains at the same level and amounts to 100-122 / 60-78 mm Hg.
At this time, there may be a deviation from the average. This is due to the fact that the child goes to school, his regime is being reconstructed, the physical load on the child’s body is reduced, and the psychological load increases.
During this period, you should monitor the baby, and in case of frequent changes from the side of pressure, consult a doctor.
What should be the pressure in children 10 years old, 11 and 12?
The average indicators of the table are 110-126 / 70-82 mm Hg, but at this time, puberty usually occurs, which can affect the blood pressure.
The physique of the child also plays a role. Naturally, in thin and tall children, the indicators will differ from those of those with smaller stature and greater body weight.
Therefore, it is better to consult a doctor and determine the average pressure of your child.
What should be the pressure in children from 13 to 15 years? The table says that the average blood pressure is 110-136 / 70-86 mm Hg. But adolescence is quite difficult, children during this period experience a lot of stress, difficult situations for themselves. All this affects health, and phenomena such as teenage hypo- or hypertension are possible.
During this period, it is advisable to consult a doctor on this issue to resolve future problems.
If the child has frequent headaches, then you should pay attention to this and go to the doctor. Most likely, he will ask to measure the pressure of the child. How to do it right?
We measure the pressure of the child correctly
To begin with, we reassure the baby, explain that we will not do anything bad for him, so that he relaxes and does not worry, as this can interfere.
It is extremely important to use a children's cuff, such are on sale. Also in pharmacies there are many good electronic blood pressure monitors.
It is better to measure blood pressure, of course, in the morning, when the child has just woken up, and in the evening, before going to bed. The child should lie on his back, ask him to take the handle to the side, palm up. It is important that the hand rests, and not rests on weight.
Next, we find the elbow bend, put on a cuff above it a couple of centimeters. Then we check that the cuff does not tightly squeeze the hand, for this we put a finger under it, if it freely enters, then everything is fine.
Then we put the phonendoscope in the place where the pulse is well heard by touch, this is the ulnar fossa. Next, close the valve, pump up air until the pulse disappears. We open the valve so that the air slowly descends, and carefully look at the scale.
The very first sound we hear speaks of systolic pressure, the last - of diastolic.
The indicators of each measurement should be recorded so that they can be shown at the next medical appointment.
Causes of high blood pressure in a child
High blood pressure in a child can occur for many reasons. More often this violation occurs in adolescent children, when there is not only physical, but also emotional restructuring of the body. Perhaps for the child the daily routine is incorrectly composed. Sleep also plays a role, if the baby does not get enough sleep, he is tormented by nightmares, this can negatively affect pressure. Frequent stresses harm any body, not just children.
Perhaps there may be more serious causes - for example, health problems: disturbances in the endocrine system, the brain, various renal pathologies, poisoning, and vascular tone disorders.
How to reduce blood pressure in children?
There is a simple pre-medical method that gives a quick effect. Wet gauze in vinegar (you can take any - table or apple) and apply to the heels of the baby for 10 minutes.
It is also useful to eat currants (only black), watermelon, baked potatoes in their skins. But this will not bring results immediately, but gradually.
Causes of low blood pressure in a child
Low blood pressure in a child is less common than elevated. In general, normal blood pressure per day may decrease, it depends on the circumstances. It decreases after eating, intense training, or when a child is stuffy. If this condition does not affect the overall well-being of the baby, so you should not worry, this is the norm.
However, if it is lowered greatly, this is not good. Low blood pressure can occur for the following reasons:
- heredity;
- adynamia;
- infectious diseases;
- stress and other emotional stress on the child;
- diabetes;
- heart diseases;
- hypovitaminosis;
- head injuries;
- side effects of medications.
How to increase blood pressure in children?
The simplest remedy is caffeine, which is found in coffee. If pain joins the low pressure, then it is necessary to resort to medications.
But drug treatment, any drugs, the above recipes and tips should be strictly agreed with the attending physician, even the use of the most harmless means - such a drink as coffee. It is better to be safe again, as it is about the health of a small child.