1. What is the AAP Blood Pressure Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines blood pressure percentiles for children and adolescents based on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2017 Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Purpose: It helps healthcare providers and parents assess whether a child's blood pressure is normal, elevated, or indicative of hypertension.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses AAP reference tables that account for:

• Age (1-17 years)
• Height percentile (based on CDC growth charts)
• Gender
• Systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements

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

3. Importance of Pediatric BP Assessment

Details: Proper BP assessment in children is crucial because hypertension often begins in childhood and can lead to long-term cardiovascular risks.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Measure BP with proper technique after 5 minutes of rest
• Use the average of 2-3 measurements
• Enter exact age in years
• Measure height without shoes

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's considered normal BP in children?
A: BP < 90th percentile for age, sex, and height is normal. 90-94th percentile is elevated, ≥95th is hypertension.

Q2: How often should children's BP be checked?
A: AAP recommends annual BP measurement starting at age 3.

Q3: What causes high BP in children?
A: Can be primary (essential) or secondary to kidney disease, heart problems, obesity, or endocrine disorders.

Q4: How accurate is this calculator?
A: It's based on AAP normative data but doesn't replace clinical evaluation.

Q5: What if my child's BP is high?
A: Consult a pediatrician for repeat measurements and possible evaluation.