Validation of the AM5600 ambulatory blood pressure monitor in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

We measured ambulatory blood pressure using the AM5600 in children and adolescents participating in a research study to assess the relationship of blood pressure to risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Although the use of this monitor has been previously reported in adults, it has not been validated in pediatric patients.

PARTICIPANTS AND

METHODS

In this study, we assess the accuracy of the monitor as compared with the mercury sphygmomanometer in children of 7-18 years of age.

RESULTS

We found that the mean of the difference between the monitor and the mercury device was 0.29+/-3.5 and 0.045+/-3.7 mmHg for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively, which fulfills the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation standard for use of a device. The cumulative percentage of readings between the two devices which differed by 5, 10 and 15 mmHg or more assigned a grade of A grade to the device according to the British Hypertension Society.

CONCLUSION

The AM5600 ambulatory blood pressure device is valid for measurement of blood pressure in children and adolescents.