1. What is the AAP Blood Pressure Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines blood pressure percentiles in children and adolescents according to American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines.

Purpose: It helps healthcare providers assess whether a child's blood pressure is normal or indicates hypertension based on age, height percentile, and gender.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses polynomial formulas from AAP guidelines:

Where:

• Age — Child's age in years (1-17 years)
• Height Percentile — Child's height percentile (1-100%)
• Gender — Biological sex (male/female)
• SBP/DBP — Measured systolic and diastolic blood pressure

Explanation: The calculator compares measured BP against normative data for children of same age, height, and gender.

3. Importance of Pediatric BP Assessment

Details: Early detection of abnormal BP in children can prevent long-term cardiovascular complications. AAP guidelines provide sex-specific, height-adjusted standards.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the child's exact age (can include decimals for months), measured height percentile, measured SBP and DBP, and gender.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What age range does this cover?
A: The calculator is valid for children aged 1-17 years.

Q2: How do I get height percentile?
A: Use CDC growth charts or our Growth Percentile Calculator.

Q3: What's considered normal BP in children?
A: BP < 90th percentile is normal, 90-95th is elevated, ≥95th is hypertensive.

Q4: How many measurements are needed?
A: AAP recommends 3 separate measurements on different occasions for diagnosis.

Q5: Why is height percentile important?
A: Taller children normally have higher BP than shorter peers of same age.