Evaluation of Risk and Protection Factors Associated with High Blood Pressure in Children

Background: Epidemiological studies have shown an increased prevalence of high blood pressure in pediatric patients. Today we know that risk factors can be detected during childhood and may help in preventing the disease. Objective: To evaluate risk and protection factors related to high blood pressure in childhood. Methods: We evaluated children aged 3 to 10 years, residing in the east and southwest sanitary districts of the City of Goiania, Goias, and obtained the following data: birth weight, breast feeding, family history of high blood pressure and obesity, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure. We applied the Mann-Whitney U-test to these variables in order to compare pressure variation. Results: In this sample, 519 children were evaluated, and 246 (47.4%) of them were male. The BMI assessment identified 109 (21%) overweight children, of which 53 (10.3%) were obese. Predominant and/or exclusive breast feeding for less than 6 months was found in 242 (51.2%). The mean systolic pressure was significantly higher in children with exclusive and/or predominant breast feeding for less than 6 months (p = 0.04), and in children with family history of high blood pressure (p = 0.05), and in overweight children (p < 0.0001). These data were confirmed in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: In this sample, we observed that overweight and hereditary factors may be associated with elevated blood pressure, and that breast feeding for more than 6 months seems to offer a protective effect. (Arq Bras Cardiol 2010;94(4): 458-463)