Are pitfalls of oscillometric blood pressure measurements preventable in children?

While the routine measurement of blood pressure (BP) in children is common practice, there is lack of uniformity in the types of devices used to measure BP in children. Oscillometric devices are replacing conventional sphygmomanometry in many medical centers. However, the BP determined by these two methods is not identical, nor is it systematically different. Moreover, there is paucity of normative data on oscillometric BP measurements in children. Since oscillometric devices may well ultimately replace conventional standard mercury and aneroid manometers, users of these devices need not only to ensure strict adherence to the technique of obtaining BPs as put forth by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, but also to be certain that the specific device being used has been tested for accuracy in children of the target age in accordance with standard guidelines, and that they are regularly maintained and calibrated. Due to limited normative data on BPs using oscillometric devices in children, we feel that further studies are needed before the auscultatory methods can be altogether eliminated.