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Ethnic Differences in Childhood Blood Pressure

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Pediatric Hypertension

Part of the book series: Clinical Hypertension and Vascular Diseases ((CHVD))

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Abstract

Blood pressure in children is still assessed using normative data from the National High Blood Pressure Education Program which include adjustment for an individual’s age, gender, and body height. The current threshold values ignore any ethnic differences in childhood blood pressure. While young children likely have no differences in BP related to ethnicity, emerging data suggest that, at least in older children, race and ethnicity may be important factors influencing blood pressure. We review the evidence for ethnic differences in childhood blood pressure, including childhood ambulatory blood pressure, and discuss some of the potential mechanisms behind these differences.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Nephrology and Hypertension, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, 6431 Fannin St, MSB 3-121, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Joshua Samuels M.D., MPH, Xamayta Negroni-Balasquide M.D. & Cynthia Bell MS

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  1. Joshua Samuels M.D., MPH
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  2. Xamayta Negroni-Balasquide M.D.
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  3. Cynthia Bell MS
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Correspondence to Joshua Samuels M.D., MPH .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Washington, Division of Pediatrics, Seattle Children's Hospital, Sand Point Way NE. 4800, Seattle, 98105, Washington, USA

    Joseph T. Flynn

  2. Harvard Medical School, Pediatric Nephrology Unit, MassGeneral Hospital for Children at MGH, Fruit St. 55, Boston, 02114, Massachusetts, USA

    Julie R. Ingelfinger

  3. Global Clinical Research, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Route 206 & Provinceline Road, Princeton, 08543, New Jersey, USA

    Ronald J. Portman

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Samuels, J., Negroni-Balasquide, X., Bell, C. (2013). Ethnic Differences in Childhood Blood Pressure. In: Flynn, J., Ingelfinger, J., Portman, R. (eds) Pediatric Hypertension. Clinical Hypertension and Vascular Diseases. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-490-6_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-490-6_16

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