[A statistical epidemiologic study of arterial pressure in schoolchildren in Harghita County to establish normal values].

Abstract

The epidemiological study was organized in schools in urban and rural areas. The study is readily reproducible and can be carried out longitudinally in the course of several years. Blood pressure was determined in children ranging in age from 7 to 14 years, and included 1838 children from urban areas--954 boys and 884 girls, and 1622 from rural areas--838 boys and 784 girls, per total 3460 children. Recording was done in the classroom in a quiet, friendly atmosphere, eliminating all psychical factors that might influence pressure, and was never taken before or after physical education. The pressure gage was applied on the right arm the cuff being adjusted to a child's arm. Pressure was determined thrice by two doctors independently, according to the Korotkov method, phase IV representing diastolic pressure. The data were processed statistically calculating the mean and standard deviation per determinations, per age, and finally calculating the proportions (individual values in the range of initial variations that correspond to percentages of 5, 25, 50, 75, 90, 95) of the total population analyzed. The tables give the results of systolic and diastolic pressure values in children in urban and in rural areas, as well as percentile curves of the systolic and diastolic pressure per sex. On the basis of the results children were considered to be candidates to high blood pressure whose systolic and/or diastolic tension in terms of age and sex was situated at percentage 95 or higher.