The challenge of simplifying blood pressure screening in children and adolescents

Simplified methods of blood pressure screening could facilitate the clinical routine of the primary care physicians and may increase adherence to pediatric hypertension guidelines. Blood-pressure-to-height ratios are appealing for the simplicity of data needed to evaluate a child's blood pressure status, including only office blood pressure values and height. In several epidemiological studies around the world blood-pressure-to-height ratios showed good predictive power in identifying children with high blood pressure in terms of area under the curve and sensitivity compared to the gold standard National High Blood Pressure Education Program blood pressure tables, but low positive predictive values meaning a high rate of false-positive cases and possibly increased subsequent work load for primary physicians. Finally, blood-pressure-to height ratios seem to be dependent to age, sex, and weight status. In conclusion, blood-pressure-to-height ratios need to be further improved and validated in different pediatric populations before routine clinical use.