[Study of Navarra (PECNA). Correlation of arterial blood pressure, in a child-young population, with anthropometric and biochemical parameters]. / Estudio de Navarra (PECNA). Correlación de la tensión arterial, en una población infanto-juvenil, con parámetros antropométricos y bioquímicos.

As part of an epidemiological study on cardiovascular risk factors among children and adolescent in Navarra, arterial blood pressure (BP) readings were taken in 5,829 children. These children, both males and females, between the ages of 4 and 17 years, were selected at random from the public and private school population in our community. The correlation between systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure with anthropometric and biochemical parameters was analyzed. The correlation coefficient for systolic BP readings were always higher than those for diastolic BP. The highest correlations for both BP scores were found with weight, followed by height. Correlation with total weight parameters is superior to that found with body fat parameters. There were no significant correlations between BP and the lipid parameters. When analyzing multiple regression equations, we find that with only the child's weight and age, both systolic and diastolic BP can be predicted with correlation coefficients of 0.597 and 0.492, respectively. When doing a partial correlation analysis, the correlation between systolic BP and age, at a fixed height value, disappears; while the correlation of systolic BP with height remains when using a set age. This suggest that the best definition for hypertension is based on BP-height percentile, rather than BP-age.

[The Navarra study. Prevalence of arterial hypertension, hyperlipidemia and obesity in the infant-child population of Navarra. Association of risk factors]. / Estudio de Navarra (PECNA). Prevalencia de hipertensión arterial, hiperlipidemia y obesidad en la población infanto-juvenil de Navarra. Asociación de estos factores de riesgo.

As part of an epidemiological study on cardiovascular risk factors among children and adolescents in Navarra, 5,829 children were studied. These children, of both sexes, were between 4 and 17 years of age and were selected at random from the public and private school population in Navarra. The prevalence of hypertension (HT) was 7.17 +/- 0.34%, hyperlipemia (LDL/HDL > 2.2) 15.70 +/- 0.49% and obesity (Quetelet I) 3.96 +/- 0.26%. Of the children and adolescents in Navarra 23.68% show some of these three associated risk factors. Obesity was significantly associated with HT and hyperlipemia, measured by LDL/HDL > 2.2 (but not when defined by cholesterol > 200 mg/dl). This association was greater when the pathology was defined by the Quetelet Index, rather than by the skinfold thickness. Hypertension was not associated with hypercholesterolemia (defined as LDL/HDL > 2.2). The association with hyperlipemia (measured by LDL/HDL) disappeared when the obesity effect was eliminated. It is deduced from these factors that if we don't take preventative health measures, the present children and adolescents from Navarra will suffer a high cardiovascular morbi-mortality when they become adults.