Background: The prevalence of hypertension in pediatrics has increased. This increase resulted from different classification changes in younger and older children. The prevalence of elevated blood pressure, stage Ι and stage ΙΙ hypertension was estimated by the new American Academy of Pediatrics guideline in school-based blood pressure screening program.
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension in preparatory school students.
Patients and Methods: This study was cross sectional study. It is a school based survey which was conducted in Tanta city preparatory school from October 2019 to May 2021. The survey was included 4000 of school students (aged 12-16years, of both sex). The study was conducted on preparatory school children in Tanta west educational administration in Gharbia Governorate. The percentile charts based on height was used for classification of blood pressure.
Results: High prevalence of hypertension distribution among studied group as follow, the percentage of cases with elevated Bl.p (Bl.p ≥ 90th to < 95th percentile) was (14.4%), cases with HTN stage I (Bl.p ≥ 95th percentile to < 95th percentile plus 12 mm Hg) was (0.4%) and normal cases (Bl.p < 90th percentile) was (85.2%). There was statistically significant difference between males and females children regarding to hypertension as it was higher among males. Also there were other risk factors as mean BMI, weight and WC that were higher among hypertensive cases than normal cases. There was statistically positive correlation between age of children and hypertension also, positive family history of HTN and increase BMI of studied children were a significant risk factor for pediatric hypertension.
Conclusion: High prevalence of hypertension in studied preparatory school students in Gharbia according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 2017. Prevalence of pediatric hypertension was higher among children aged ≥13 years. Obesity and positive family history of hypertension are risk factors for pediatric hypertension.