Abstract
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to adapt commercially available home blood pressure monitors for use in children ages 4 to 18 years and to compare the recordings obtained from the adapted devices to those obtained using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer.
METHODS
Sequential same-arm blood pressures were measured by trained observers in 106 children, ages 4 to 18 years, using a calibrated mercury-gravity manometer (reference device) as the standard method, and 3 test devices (an aneroid manometer and two semiautomated oscillometric devices). For each patient, mid-arm circumference was measured and appropriate blood pressure cuff size was selected. Systolic and diastolic pressures were measured by trained observers using the reference device and the aneroid manometer in accordance with criteria established by the Second Task Force on Blood Pressure Control in Children. Other than variation in cuff size, all manufacturers' recommendations were followed for each test device.
RESULTS
Outcome was assessed using criteria established by the British Hypertension Society (BHS) and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). The aneroid manometer consistently received a grade of A using BHS criteria and also passed using AAMI criteria. Neither of the two semiautomated monitors achieved a passing grade, although the Labtron monitor performed slightly better than the Marshall 85 monitor.
CONCLUSIONS
Home blood pressure monitors must be validated for use in children prior to widespread use. Given appropriate training and verification of observer accuracy, the aneroid manometer can be recommended for home use in children ages 4 to 18 years.
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