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Measurement, Interpretation, and Evaluation of Hypertension
This group provides an important and timely update on the evaluation of cardiovascular risk -- an area of growing concern in pediatric care. Part 1 of their report discusses diagnosis and evaluation of hypertension (HTN) and prehypertension.
Prehypertension in children is defined as average systolic or diastolic blood pressure (BP) levels that are >90th percentile but <95th percentile (adolescent levels, >120/80 mm Hg). Identification of BP in this range should raise concern and signal a need for lifestyle changes to avert future disease.
BP levels >95th percentile in a medical setting but normotensive elsewhere are white-coat HTN, best diagnosed by ambulatory BP monitoring.
All childr…