[Prevalence and risk factors of high blood pressure in Mexican school children in Sabinas Hidalgo].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of high blood pressure (HBP) in school children 6 to 12 years of age with the accepted methodology.


METHODS
Elementary school children were examined (n=329). Associations between HBP, body mass index (BMI), age and gender were investigated using a cross-sectional study. Blood pressure was measured and the 95th percentile was used to determine HBP. Comparisons between children with and without HBP were made. The crude and X(2) Mantel-Haenszel adjusted odds ratios were used as measures of association.


RESULTS
Overweight children (BMI >85th percentile) and those in the age group 11-12 years were at least four times as likely to present with HBP after controlling for confounding factors.


CONCLUSIONS
A total of 4.9% of school children had HBP, with a higher prevalence occurring among overweight and the older group. The associations found here can be used as markers for an increased likelihood of HBP in Mexican children.
Aregullin-Eligio
Enrique Oliver
EO
Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital General de Sabinas Hidalgo Virginia Ayala de Garza, Nuevo León, México.
Alcorta-Garza
María Cándida
MC
D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors