Taking a Child's Blood Pressure

• It may come as a surprise to some people, but the way in which a child's blood pressure is measured will be virtually the same as in an adult. It will be taken with a standard cuff and with the use of a stethoscope. Under normal circumstances, a child would have his blood pressure measured during regularly scheduled checkups at his doctor's office. And according to the American Heart Association, these measurements should be taken as soon as the child reaches 3 years of age. Most doctors will use this practice, so it isn't necessarily something you'll need to keep in the forefront of your mind.
  
  

Purpose of Measurements

• The reason in which a child (just like an adult) should have his blood pressure taken at fairly regular intervals is really the accumulation of medical data as well as keeping tabs, so to speak, on his health. When a child's blood pressure is measured, a doctor will be able to look back at these readings and note any changes that may have taken place between visits. Most children's blood pressure will vary with age, sex, weight and height. Ultimately, a child's blood pressure can be used to warn a medical professional of any latent medical problems.
  
  

Other Circumstances

• While most children will generally have their blood pressure measured during regular visits, some kids may need to follow a different timetable to better monitor their health. This would be the case in children who are overweight or obese as well as those who are underweight. There may also be a need for more frequent measurements when a child is living with a condition that affects his heart or blood circulation.
  
  

"Normal" Blood Pressure

• For the most part, a child's blood pressure will be between 110 and 120 systolic (the first or top number in the reading) and between 70 and 80 diastolic (the second or bottom number in the reading). That being said, there is differentiation in blood pressure based on a child's age, sex and height. A table for reference has been provided in the Resources section to better display the delineation.