Blood Pressure of Healthy Newborns in the First Week of Life

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was performed to study normative blood pressure data in full-term neonates that may be used to facilitate identification of neonatal hypertension. METHODS: 383 newborns born in our hospital from May 2003 to January 2004 were enrolled in this study. Using an oscillometric device(BP-88 NEXT, COLIN Corp.), their blood pressures were measured more than one time within a week after birth. According to each clinical variable such as sex, delivery mode, birth weight, gestational age and presence of maternal disease or perinatal problems, we divided the population into groups and calculated the mean blood pressures of each group. We compared mean blood pressures between the divided groups according to each clinical variable statistically. RESULTS: Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the population was 70.8+/-10.9 mmHg and 43.4+/-8.0 mmHg, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in blood pressure according to clinical variables. Mean systolic pressure showed positive correlation with birth weight and gestational age(r=0.1420, 0.0360). CONCLUSION: Our results are almost in agreement with Zubrow's data from 695 newborns in U.S.A, 1995. Our data may be helpful for early detection and management of neonatal hypertension, thereby maintaining renal function and preventing possible complications of renal disease.