Prevalence and risk factors of hypertension based on repeated measurements in Chinese children and adolescents

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hypertension from repeated blood pressure (BP) measurements, and examine the association between hypertension and obesity, as well as other related risk factors, in a Chinese pediatric population. Methods: A total of 6692 children, aged 3-18 years, were recruited in 2010. Anthropometric measurements and BP were measured using a mercury sphygmomanometer. Those with an elevated BP were screened a second or third time at 2-week intervals. Hypertension was defined as elevated BP on all three occasions. A self-administered questionnaire was completed. Results: The prevalence of an elevated BP was 18.2%, 5.1% and 3.1% on the first, second and third visits, respectively. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for an elevated BP among obese children were 7.07 (5.94-8.42), 17.23 (12.63-23.52) and 20.63 (13.69-31.09), and among those with a paternal history of hypertension were 1.26 (0.98-1.61), 1.35 (0.90-2.02) and 1.80 (1.15-2.81) on each consecutive visit. Conclusions : Repeated measurements are required to confirm the diagnosis of hypertension in children and that obesity and paternal hypertension are strongly associated with pediatric hypertension.