Mohan Makwana1, Ratanlal Bhati2, Harish Mourya3, Jagdish Dabi4, Jai Prakash Soni5, Pramod Sharma6
BACKGROUND
Hypertension is very common disease, commonly associated with high morbidity and mortality. Its origin is thought to be in childhood and goes undetected unless specifically looked for during this period. Early detection of hypertension and its precipitating or aggravating factors are key factors, so further complications of hypertension can be prevented.
MATERIALS AND METHODS Apparently, healthy-looking school children in the age group of 5 to 16 years from various schools in Jodhpur district were screened for the study. A total of 5000 students were enrolled in the present study in a period from June 2012 to August 2014. Children with chronic illnesses and those who were on long-term medications, congenital anomalies and diagnosed to be obese and hypertensive secondary to other causes were excluded from study. Detailed history regarding age, sex, family history of obesity and hypertension, socioeconomic status had taken using predesigned proforma. Various anthropometric parameters like height, weight, waist circumference were measured and Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) were recorded in both sexes. Hypertension was defined as SBP or DBP exceeding the 95th percentile for age, gender and height. Three readings were taken in succession with an interval of 1½ to 2 minutes. The average of the three readings was calculated and recorded in the proforma. Those children in whom blood pressure was found abnormal for respective age and gender were re-examined on two different occasions at an interval of 1 to 2 weeks.
RESULTS
A total of 5000 school children included in the present study. Out of them, 243 (4.86%) children were detected as hypertensive as per study protocols. Majority of these, 143 (58.43%) were females from families residing in urban areas. Study revealed that most hypertensive children were from joint family with higher socioeconomic status. There was strong association with family history of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension or obesity with prevalence of HT. BMI more than 30 was associated with higher risk. This study support that there was increase in prevalence of hypertension with the advancement of the age as evidenced by 204 (83.93%) cases were of above 10 years of age as compared to only 39 (16.04%) below 10 years of age.
CONCLUSION
In this study, we have observed that the hypertension is not only the disease entity of adults, but also children. Now, there is clear evidence that it starts in childhood and continues into adulthood, so there is need of the hour for regular monitoring of Blood Pressure (BP) right from early childhood, so that appropriate remedial measures can be taken as early as possible to prevent further progression of hypertension and associated complications. What is already known about this study onset in childhood and increase in prevalence of hypertension with the advancement of the age? What this study adds? Hypertension is not only the disease entity of adults, but also children, rather it starts in childhood and continues into adulthood. Regular monitoring of Blood Pressure (BP) right from early childhood and appropriate remedial measures are key steps required at the earliest.
