Pediatrics

AAP Pediatric Blood Pressure Percentiles & Hypertension Staging

Calculates age, sex, and height-adjusted blood pressure percentiles and AAP hypertension staging.

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Parameters

AAP Pediatric Blood Pressure Percentiles & Hypertension Staging Result

Formula

AAP 2017 Classification:
• Normal: < 90th percentile
• Elevated: 90th to < 95th percentile or 120/<80
• Stage 1 HTN: 95th percentile to 95th + 12 mmHg (or 130–139/80–89)
• Stage 2 HTN: ≥ 95th percentile + 12 mmHg (or ≥ 140/90)

Clinical Pearls

The definitive American Academy of Pediatrics guideline standard for screening and managing pediatric hypertension, preventing pediatric LVH and early cardiovascular mortality.

Limitations

Initial oscillometric readings that are elevated must be confirmed with manual auscultation using an appropriately sized cuff (bladder length 80–100% of arm circumference).