Blood pressure is infrequently measured in pediatric ambulatory settings, highlighting a need for routine measurement during physical examinations.
BP measurement remains infrequent in pediatric ambulatory settings; this cross-sectional observation leaves open whether routine screening improves hypertension detection.
Surveys of patients at three pediatric teaching hospitals showed a low percentage of blood pressure recordings by the examining physician in the walk-in or emergency clinics. The frequency of blood pressure measurement was higher among inpatients, especially on medical services. A recommendation for obtaining blood pressure measurements is made on three bases: 1. many patients use these ambulatory services as their major source of care, 2. many conditions for which care is sought and many therapeutic agents are associated with hypertension, and 3. unless measurements of blood pressure become customary during training, it is likely that blood pressure recording may not be included as part of routine physical examinations.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Patricia T. Pazdral (1976) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: