Home monitoring of blood pressure in children, pregnancy, and chronic kidney diseases via personal blood pressure meters- An updated review for pharmacists

Background: Blood pressure (BP) monitoring is critical in managing hypertension across various populations, including children, pregnant women, and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Traditional clinic-based BP measurements often lead to misdiagnoses due to white-coat and masked hypertension. Aim: This review highlights the significance of home BP monitoring in children, pregnancy, and CKD, evaluating its accuracy, practicality, and integration into clinical practice. Methods: A literature review was conducted, analyzing studies on home BP monitoring across pediatric, pregnancy, and CKD populations. Data on oscillometric devices and validation studies were included. Results: Home BP monitoring is increasingly used in pediatric hypertension, with an 80–85% agreement with ambulatory monitoring. In pregnancy, home monitoring aids in detecting preeclampsia and helps maintain optimal BP levels. For CKD, home BP readings are superior to clinical measurements, accurately predicting disease progression and cardiovascular risk. Conclusion: Home BP monitoring proves valuable in managing hypertension across vulnerable populations, offering convenience, reliability, and better diagnostic precision. Further research is needed to refine device accuracy and integrate home monitoring into routine care for children, pregnant women, and CKD patients.