title: Characteristics of gender-related circadian arterial blood pressure in healthy adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To define 24-h characteristics of arterial blood pressure in healthy adolescent girls and boys; to determine gender-related differences of blood pressure, its circadian pattern.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 24-h blood pressure was monitored hourly in healthy girls (n=22, without no account for the menstrual cycle phase) and boys (n=22). Additionally, blood pressure of adolescent girls (n=15) was examined during different phases of their menstrual cycle (follicular, ovulation, and luteal). Blood pressure was monitored with an auto-cuff automatic outpatient blood pressure monitor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Investigation showed gender-related differences in 24-h blood pressure. Study results revealed the circadian blood pressure rhythm characterized by a period of low values during nighttime and an early morning increase in both adolescent groups. Nocturnal systolic blood pressure was higher (P<0.05) in boys than in girls in all phases of their menstrual cycle. Diurnal systolic blood pressure in boys was higher than in girls in their follicular phase (P<0.05). The day and night blood pressure differed between boys and girls (P<0.05). A dipping blood pressure pattern as a decrease in mean nighttime blood pressure as compared with mean daytime blood pressure was defined: 10.02+/-6.7% in girls (n=22) and 13+/-6.3% in boys (n=22), without gender-related differences (P>0.05). There were no differences in blood pressure dipping among girls' groups in different menstrual cycle phases (P>0.05). Adolescent boys showed a significant positive correlation between their mean diurnal blood pressure and height (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study proved gender-related arterial blood pressure differences in healthy adolescents. The results demonstrate the gender-specific circadian blood pressure rhythm pattern in both gender groups.
authors.affiliation: Children Hospital, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Zaneta
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Driziene
authors.forename: Eitaute
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jakutiene
authors.forename: Donatas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stakisaitis
authors.forename: Birute
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pundziene
authors.forename: Audrius
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sveikata
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; D001827:Body Height; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D015984:Causality; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013599:Systole / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors