EPIDEMIOLOGIA DELL'IPERTENSIONE ARTERIOSA NELLE SCUOLE MEDIE INFERIORI DI NAPOLI

Arterial pressure (AP) was measured in 7008 children aged 10-15 yr attending junior high schools in Naples in an investigation of its frequency distribution, and to determine the incidence of hypertension. Auscultation was employed to record three of the Korotkoff sounds: systolic, intermediate diastolic, and diastolic pressure (APs, APi and APd). Body weight, height, heart rate, and presence of the menarche were also recorded. Statistical analysis with an IBM computer showed a Gaussian distribution of AP values in both sexes. APs, APi and APd increased progressively with age from means of 110.7, 71.1 and 65.8 mmHg at 10 yr to 121.6, 76.5 and 70.9 mmHg at 14 (with significant linear regression, p <0.0005). AP was significantly higher in females than in males in the case of subjects aged 12, 13 and 14 yr. Children whose APs, APi and/or APd values were higher than the mean plus SD for their age and sex were classed as hypertensive. Their weight index (height X cube root body weight) was significantly higher, and so was their heart rate (t test, p <0.001 for both parameters). The incidence of hypertension was no higher in girls with menarche.