More Reasons to be Concerned About High Blood Pressure in Children

The authors from the University of Rochester, NY, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES III), examined cross-sectional data from children 6–16 years of age. This data included blood pressures and cognitive test scores. Elevated blood pressure was defined as systolic or diastolic blood pressures >90th percentile for age and height. The cognitive test scores studied included block design, digit span (a measure of attention and concentration), mathematics, and reading. Results on 5,077 children were examined; 3.4% had a systolic blood pressure >90th percentile and 1.6% had a diastolic blood pressure >90th percentile. Compared to normotensive children, children with elevated systolic blood pressures scored significantly lower for digit span, block design, and mathematics. Increased diastolic blood pressures were associated with lower average scores on block design. …