In the human body, the blood circulates in a circle - from the heart to the internal organs and back. Arterial is the pressure exerted by the biological fluid on the walls of the vessels of the direct flow. In children it is lower than in adults. This is due to the broader lumen and elasticity of the walls of blood vessels, an extensive capillary network.
Measuring blood pressure in children
Determine the indicator in question is important in a calm state, the child should not be nervous. That he was not afraid, you can present the procedure as a game. Arterial pressure in children is measured using a standard or electronic tonometer according to the following rules:
- The optimal time is morning, within 10 minutes before the manipulation the child should rest.
- If the crumb wants to have breakfast, it is better to postpone the procedure, and execute it an hour after eating.
- To measure blood pressure in children, you should use special cuffs. The recommended width depends on age. Infants - 3 cm, one year old children - 5 cm, preschool children - 8 cm.
- The lower edge of the cuff is 1.5-3 cm above the ulnar fossa.
- Children up to 1.5-2 years of age are advised to change the pressure in the supine position. If the baby is older, you can ask him to sit quietly.
- In the space between the cuff and the hand, the finger of an adult must freely fit.
- The elbow joint should be slightly bent, so that the middle of the shoulder is located at the level of the heart.
- The phonendoscope is placed under the lower edge of the cuff. Its membrane should be superimposed on the ulnar fossa.
- It is necessary to inject air into the cuff to a level of 60-90 mm Hg. until the sound of pulsation disappears.
- After pumping, the valve of the pear should be slightly weakened. The air should come out gradually.
- The occurrence of the first audible beats indicates the upper level of arterial pressure, and the last pulse tones - on the lower border.
- Repeated measurement is carried out after 10-15 minutes.
- Define the described indicator is recommended several days in a row, choosing the lowest values as final.
- For comparison, you need to know the normal blood pressure in children - the table by age contains the average data, so the deviation is within 10 mm Hg. Art. is considered acceptable.
- If you can not independently measure with a mechanical tonometer, it is better to purchase an electronic device or contact a health center.
Arterial pressure is the norm in children ages
The fastest growth of the indicator is observed in the first year of the child's life. At first the norm of arterial pressure in children is the same for both sexes. After 5 and up to 9 years, the parameter is slightly higher for boys, after which it is again leveled. With age, children's blood pressure is constantly increasing. This is due to the narrowing of the lumen of the vessels and the decrease in the elasticity of their walls.
Diastolic pressure is the norm by age
The described value is also called the lower or minimum value. It characterizes the resistance of peripheral vessels and reflects the intensity of blood pressure at the time of relaxation of the heart muscle. Normal blood pressure in children is an individual parameter, but for it there are averages. They depend on the age of the child and the blood pressure at the time of contraction of the heart (systole). A special system has been developed to calculate the diastolic blood pressure in children - the age table is compiled on the basis of the following formulas:
- up to 12 months - 2 / 3-1 / 2 of the maximum systolic pressure;
- after a year - 60 + the number of full years.
Systolic pressure - norm
This parameter shows the strength of the blood flow at the time of stress of the heart muscle and the expulsion of biological fluid into the vessels. The value of what type of blood pressure in children depends on their age and constitution of the body. In addition to this indicator affects the physical and emotional state of the baby, diet, hereditary diseases and even the time of day. The average systolic pressure in children is calculated using the following formulas:
- babies - 76 + twice the number of months of life;
- after the year - 90 + age, multiplied by 2.
Norms of arterial pressure in children - table
In order not to waste time on constant calculations and not to get confused in the received figures, it is better to use the generally accepted values. A convenient way to compare the actual and normal blood pressure in children is the table. It shows the minimum and maximum boundaries of the considered parameter from 0 to 15 years. There are no grounds for unrest, if within them the measured blood pressure in children is located - the table by age is presented below. It is desirable to save it or print it.
Low blood pressure in the baby
The condition described is called hypotension or hypotension. In most cases, low blood pressure in children occurs rarely under the influence of external factors and independently stabilizes. The problem is stable hypotension, which prevents the normal operation of the nervous and endocrine system, worsens the quality of life of the child.
Low blood pressure in children causes
Short-term hypotension occurs in completely healthy babies. Low blood pressure in children under one year may occur for the following reasons:
- pre-day time;
- too high room temperature;
- recent feeding;
- fatigue.
It is important to pay attention to other factors influencing blood pressure in children - the age table does not take into account the physique of the child, his lifestyle and geographical position. Blood pressure in lean kids is well below the generally accepted norms. Still hypotonia is observed when adapting to a new, especially high-altitude or tropical, climate, living in areas with low atmospheric pressure. Physiological hypotension is often found in child athletes after intensive training.
Pathological pressure reduction occurs for the following reasons:
- low mobility;
- intrauterine pathologies;
- frequent respiratory infections;
- emotional, mental congestion;
- chronic foci of inflammation;
- incorrect mode of the day;
- physical overload;
- heredity;
- thyroid disease;
- diabetes mellitus ;
- anemia;
- deficiency of vitamins;
- heart failure;
- mental disorders;
- allergic reactions;
- myocarditis and others.
Symptoms, signs of low blood pressure
The clinical picture corresponds to the age of the children. It is difficult to notice the early manifestations of hypotension in infants. Low blood pressure in a child under one year has the following symptoms:
- tearfulness;
- moist and cold feet, palms;
- fast fatiguability;
- drowsiness;
- poor appetite.
Signs of hypotension in growing up children:
- frequent mood changes;
- dizziness;
- weakness in the body;
- apathy;
- resentment;
- sweating ;
- rapid redness and blushing of the skin;
- headache;
- sensation of tingling in the heart;
- noise in ears;
- visual impairment;
- fainting .
The child has low blood pressure - what should I do?
Quickly alleviate the symptoms of hypotension will help a slice of natural chocolate and black tea with sugar. There are also herbal remedies that can gradually increase low blood pressure in children - treatment with funds based on Eleutherococcus, Ginseng and Chinese magnolia vine long, but effective. Some babies require more potent medicines that improve blood circulation. They are prescribed only by a doctor, so with stable hypotension it is important to show the child to a specialist.
At home, too, a little adjusted for low blood pressure - what to do at home:
- Help the child develop and maintain the optimal regime of the day.
- Balance the diet, enrich the menu with vitamins and minerals.
- Eliminate stress, physical and emotional overload.
- Limit the time spent in front of the TV and the computer, especially at bedtime.
- To teach the baby to contrast the soul .
- Avoid conflicts in the family.
- To give time for physical activity. Useful swimming, dancing, horse riding.
Increased pressure in children
Hypertension or hypertension is common in adolescence. Steady high blood pressure in a child under 12 years is rare and indicates serious violations in the body. If you regularly develop signs of hypertension, you should immediately take your baby to a doctor. Without adequate therapy, this pathology causes dangerous complications.
Elevated blood pressure - causes
The main factor provoking this phenomenon is hormonal restructuring. In the pubertal period , the concentration of adrenaline and aldosterone increases, which causes high blood pressure in adolescent children - the table by age clearly reflects this process. From 12 to 15 years the indicator in question is larger than in the younger groups. Another physiological cause of hypertension is a change in the circulatory system. As the child grows up, the blood pressure increases due to the narrowing of the lumen of the vessels and the vastness of the capillary network.
Pathological factors of occurrence of hypertension in children:
- kidney disease;
- endocrine disorders;
- poisoning;
- damage to the brain;
- disorders of vascular tone;
- heart diseases.
Elevated blood pressure - symptoms
The clinical picture of hypertension in children depends on its severity and causes. Elevated blood pressure in a child - symptoms:
- pain in the heart, head;
- irritability;
- fatigue;
- frequent pulse;
- dyspnea;
- delay in physical development;
- increased excitability;
- dizziness;
- deterioration of vision;
- thirst;
- stool disorders;
- frequent urination, especially at night;
- poor sleep;
- acute hunger without gaining weight;
- sweating;
- trembling of hands;
- acne;
- nausea;
- increased hair growth on the body and others.
What if I have high blood pressure?
When the actual blood pressure in children is constantly higher than the figures indicated in the table, you should consult a doctor. Parents can not choose, rather than reduce pressure on the child. Even the use of plant antihypertensive drugs (tincture of valerian, mint, motherwort) must be agreed with a specialist. Strongly acting drugs (Nifedipine, Andipal) are prescribed only by a doctor after a thorough examination. Independent therapy is limited to general measures to stabilize blood pressure:
- high-grade food;
- adherence to the daily routine;
- healthy sleep;
- exclusion of physical and psychological overload;
- moderate exercise;
- favorable atmosphere in the family.