The "Sniffin' Kids-PT" test: A smell test variant for Portuguese children.

OBJECTIVE: Olfactory tests tailored for children are essential, as diagnosing olfactory dysfunction at these ages can be challenging. The 16-item "Sniffin' Sticks" is reliable and easy to perform. To the best of our knowledge, there is currently no validated olfactory test for the Portuguese pediatric population. This study aimed to adapt and validate the "Sniffin' Sticks" olfactory test for the Portuguese pediatric population. METHODS: Between August 2020 and September 2021, 354 children aged between 6 and 17years old enrolled in the study, 336 healthy children with a normal sense of smell, and 18 anosmic children with Kallmann syndrome. The study consisted of two parts. Firstly, the "Sniffin' Sticks" olfactory identification test was applied to healthy children and the odors with statistically significant low identification rates were excluded. A modified version of "Sniffin' Sticks" was defined and named "Sniffin' Kids-PT" test. Secondly, normative data were assessed and test-retest and validation tests were performed. RESULTS: Apple and Cloves odors were identified with a low rate and were excluded from the "Sniffin' Sticks" olfactory test. In the modified 14-item "Sniffin' Kids-PT", scoring <6 (from 6-8years old), <7 (from 9-11years old) or <8 (from 12-14years old and 15-17years old) was indicative of olfactory dysfunction. The test-retest reliability was good (r=0.81; P<0.001) and the differences between scores of healthy children and anosmic children were statistically significant (U213=13.00; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The modified "Sniffin' Kids-PT" is a reliable test to discriminate between normosmia and olfactory dysfunction in Portuguese children over 5years old.

Unravelling the relation between processed crude oils and the composition of spent caustic effluents as well as the respective economic impact.

Spent caustic discharges are responsible for increasing oil and grease (O&G) matter in refineries wastewater, leading to increasing treatment costs due to low water quality and environmental constraints associated with high O&G concentration discharges. As a way to settle and optimize treatment technologies for such complex effluents, more insight regarding the effluents impact and deeper characterization is necessary. The present study intends to assess the possibility of a relationship between the processed crude oils with the polar O&G concentration in naphthenic spent caustic as well as in the final wastewater; Sines refinery was considered as case-study. Also, in order to get insights about the nature of the polar O&G compounds, their structures and their prevalence in the effluent treatment system was carried out through detailed analytical characterization studies. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were chosen. It was found that, for the Sines refinery, spent caustic discharges may increase the refinery effluent management cost up to 3 €/ton of processed crude oil, every time a high kerosene cut acid crude oil is processed. It was also found that the typical spent caustic O&G effluents are composed by organic contaminants with low molecular weight (MW), with aromatic and polar arrangements, like phenolic groups and naphthenic acids. This outcome is crucial for subsequently establishing the best technologies able to deal with such complex effluents.

Chronic invasive rhinosinusitis by Conidiobolus coronatus, an emerging microorganism.

Fungi from the Conidiobolus genus have been implicated in the development of chronic invasive fungal rhinosinusitis, mainly in tropical countries. The mycosis associated to these fungi may cause irreversible facial deformities and is potentially fatal. The authors present the first case of a chronic invasive fungal rhinosinusitis due to Conidiobolus coronatus diagnosed in a 66-year-old Caucasian male patient, living in Portugal without any travels abroad and complaining of progressive refractory nasal obstruction, facial pain and anosmia. Upon the culture of samples collected during sinus endoscopic surgery, colonies that presented a macroscopic aspect remembering wax were detected. The microscopic evaluation allowed the observation of simple conidiophores forming spherical conidia, and of conidiophores that presented hair-like appendages. Together, these characteristics allowed the identification of the fungi as a Conidiobolus, which was confirmed upon the DNA sequencing. The authors emphasised the role of this fungi as an emergent microorganism as well as the difficulties associated to the diagnosis and treatment.

Efficacy of free and nanoencapsulated Eucalyptus citriodora essential oils on sheep gastrointestinal nematodes and toxicity for mice.

Herbal medicines with anthelmintic effects are alternatives for the sustainable control and prevention of disease caused by gastrointestinal parasites. The nanoencapsulation of essential oils has been proposed to enhance the absorption of their constituents and improve their efficacy. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of free and nanoencapsulated Eucalyptus citriodora essential oil (EcEO) on the control of gastrointestinal nematodes of small ruminants in vitro and in vivo. Chitosan was used as a matrix for the formulation of a nanoemulsion. Chromatographic and physico-chemical analyses of EcEO were performed. Egg hatch (EHT) and larval development (LDT) tests were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of nanoencapsulated and free EcEO on the eggs and larvae of Haemonchus contortus. Acute toxicity of free and nanoencapsulated EcEO was evaluated using mice. Finally, nanoencapsulated EcEO efficacy on the control of gastrointestinal nematodes was calculated by fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) treating 30 sheep naturally infected with 250 mg/kg of free and nanoencapsulated EcEO. In vitro tests were analyzed by an analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by comparison with the Tukey test. The efficacy of FECRT was calculated by the BootStreet program through arithmetic average, using the formula 100 (1-XT/XC). To compare the differences between epg, the data were transformed to log(x+1) and subjected to an ANOVA to compare the significant differences between groups by Tukey's. The level of significance was P<0.05. The free (4 mg/ml concentration) and nanoencapsulated (2mg/ml concentration) EcEO inhibited larvae hatching by 97.2% and 92.8%, respectively. Free and nanoencapsulated EcEO at 8 mg/ml inhibited larval development by 99.8% and 98.1%, respectively. In the acute toxicity test, the LD10 and LD50 of free EcEO was 1999 and 2653 mg/kg, respectively, while the LD10 and LD50 of nanoencapsulated EcEO was 1121 and 1681 mg/kg, respectively. Nanoencapsulated and free EcEO reduced FEC similarly by 40.5% and 55.9%, respectively at 10 days post-treatment. Nanoencapsulated EcEO did not obtain the expected efficacy in vivo.

Evaluation of alternative schemes for recording body weights in meat-type quails by using random regression.

Data from 8759 meat-type quails from the UFV1 strain and 9128 from the UFV2 strain were used to assess the possibility of reducing the number of body weight records in genetic evaluations. The evaluated animals were weighed weekly since hatching to the 6th week of life, with up to 7 records of body weight for each bird. The data were evaluated by random regression models, with 9 alternative schemes of data recording, which included 4 records for each scheme and their covariance functions for additive and permanent environmental effects of order 3, fitting 4 intervals for residual variance, and a complete scheme, with 7 records, order of fit 6 for additive and permanent environmental effects and 7 intervals for residual variance. Estimates of heritability for body weight at the 6th week varied from 0.45 to 0.53 for the UFV1 strain and from 0.28 to 0.54 for UFV2 strain. The schemes that had more records in points at the final extreme of the age range showed better estimates, which was likely due to certain properties of polynomial regression that led to biased results in the final extreme of the age range when data are unbalanced. The reduction of the number of body weight records taken during the growth phase is feasible, with little change to breeding value estimates, when 4 body weight records are used in random regression models.

Cardiorespiratory fitness associates with metabolic risk independent of central adiposity.

This study sought to analyze the associations between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), waist circumference (WC) and metabolic risk in children and adolescents. Participants were 633 subjects (58.7% girls) ages 10-18 years. Metabolic risk score (MRS) was calculated from HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose and mean arterial pressure. MRS was dichotomized into low and high metabolic risk (HMRS). CRF was defined as the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) estimated from the 20 m Shuttle Run Test. The first quartile of CRF was set as the low fitness group. The fourth quartile of WC was defined as high central adiposity. With adjustments for age, sex and WC, CRF was correlated with MRS (r=-0.095; p<0.05). WC was correlated with MRS (r=0.150; p<0.001) after adjustments for age, sex and CRF. Participants who had low fitness levels, presented higher levels of MRS (p<0.001) compared to those who were fit, even after adjustment for age, sex and WC. In comparison with subjects who were fit with normal central adiposity, an increased odds ratio (OR) for being at HMRS was found for participants who were of low fitness level with high central adiposity (OR=2.934; 95%CI= 1.690-5.092) and for those who were of low fitness with normal central adiposity (OR=2.234; 95%CI=1.116-4.279). Results suggest that CRF relates to MRS independently of central adiposity.

Influence of activity patterns in fitness during youth.

The aim of this study was to analyze longitudinal associations between cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity and body mass index in a 4-year longitudinal study. 170 students (97 girls and 73 boys) aged at baseline from 11 to 17 years were followed. Students performed 20-m-SR; physical activity patterns and parents' education were evaluated using a standard questionnaire. Body mass index was categorized according to established cut points. In a multilevel analysis using MLwIN, 2 level structures were defined: first for individuals and second for time observations. In a longitudinal 2 level analysis, cardiorespiratory fitness was -negatively associated with body mass index for girls and boys, respectively (p<0.05; R2=0.63; 0.62), especially with obesity category (p<0.01; R2=0.58; 0.60). In girls, independent associations were observed between CRF and PA categories regarding participation "almost every day" in organized (p<0.05; R2=0.50) and non-organized sports outside school (p<0.05; R2=0.52) and participation in sports competitions (p<0.05; R2=0.51). In boys, associations were found only with participation in sports competitions (p<0.05; R2=0.50). The results highlight the importance of youth participation in organized activities and competitive sports over time to achieve health-related fitness benefits.

Physiological and neuromuscular impact of beach-volleyball with reference to fatigue and recovery.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to analyze the physiological and neuromuscular impact of a one 3-set beach-volleyball match and to analyze the ability of the players to recover from fatigue. METHODS: Heart rate (HR) and blood lactate concentration (BLC) were measured in sixteen Portuguese male elite volleyball players during beach-volleyball matches. Vertical countermovement jump (CMJ), sprint (7.5 and 15m) ability and maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MIVC) were evaluated at baseline, immediately (0h) and 3 hours after each match. RESULTS: Mean HR during the match was 146 ± 3 bpm (117 ± 2-185 ± 3 bpm) corresponding to about 75% of HRmax (61-90%HRmax). Players spent 34% of match time above 80% HRmax. BLC during the 3-sets increased from rest (0.95 ± 0.23 vs. 2.10 ± 0.66 [1st-set] vs. 2.41 ± 0.15 [2nd-set] vs. 2.39 ± 0.21mM [3rd-set]). No changes in CMJ were observed at 0 and 3h. Knee extensor and flexor muscles MIVC decreased at 0h (~19 and 17%, respectively) and returned to baseline 3h after. Sprint performance was the only variable that was impaired both at 0h and 3h after the match (~3%). CONCLUSION: Beach-volleyball is performed intermittently at moderate-to-high intensity with brief bouts of high intensity exercise interspersed by long low intensity periods. Match induced a temporary reduction in lower limb strength and sprinting time but 3h after the match all variables with the exception of the sprinting time, that was only slightly reduced, were recovered.

Association of leisure time physical activity and sports competition activities with high blood pressure levels: study carried out in a sample of Portuguese children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: A better understanding of the different domains and characteristics of children's and adolescent's physical activity (PA) could be a strategy to clarify the association of this behaviour with the early development of cardiovascular risk factors. OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationship between leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and sports competition activities (SCA) with high blood pressure (HBP) levels in a sample of children and adolescents from Porto, Portugal. STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study, which comprised 503 boys and 572 girls, aged 8-17 years old. LTPA and SCA were assed by self-reported. Students were assigned as active and non-active in SCA or LTPA according to their self-reported participation. Participants were classified as HBP when they are above of the last quartile for systolic and/or diastolic BP adjusted for gender and age. RESULTS: Do not be engaged in LTPA (OR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.12; 1.93) and SCA (OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.02; 1.81) was significantly associated with the likelihood of being HBP. However, when cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) (OR: 1.23; 95% CI: 0.91; 1.67) and body mass index (BMI) (OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 0.98; 1.75) were included on SCA model, the association between SCA with HBP did not showed significant results. CONCLUSION: Children and adolescents who are not engaged in SCA or LTPA are more likely to be classified as having HBP; however, the relationship between SCA and HBP was dependent of CRF and BMI. Further, PA strategies should take these differences on the relationship between HBP, SCA and LTPA.

A 3-year longitudinal analysis of changes in Body Mass Index.

The aim of this study was to analyse whether Physical Activity Index (PAI), Physical Fitness, Screen Time (watching TV and computer use), Socio-economic Status and Commuting to School made a significant contribution to longitudinal changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) in youth. This longitudinal study was carried out over a period of 3 years with 345 students (147 boys) who were between 11 and 16 years old at the beginning of the study. Students were invited to perform tests from FITNESSGRAM Battery for Curl-Ups, Push-Ups, Back-Saver Sit and Reach, and 20 m Shuttle-Run (CRF). Fitness tests were categorized in "Healthy Zone" (HZ) and "Under Healthy Zone" (UHZ), PAI in "less active" and "active"; Socio-economic Status, in low, middle and high education level, and Commuting in active and passive. BMI was corrected for age and gender meaning that we subtracted the age-and-sex-specific cut points for overweight. Corrected body mass index was used as dependent variable in a Linear Mixed Model. The main result was the strong positive and independent association of individuals with CRF performances UHZ with corrected body mass index. In conclusion, the results of this longitudinal study showed markedly an important relationship of lower fitness levels with the risk of being overweight/obese, in particular CRF and abdominal strength.

Evaluation of the genotoxic potential of Austroplenckia populnea (Reiss) Lundell chloroform fraction from barkwood extract in rodent cells in vivo.

The genotoxic effect of the Austroplenckia populnea chloroform fraction from barkwood extract was tested in vivo on peripheral blood cells of Swiss mice with the comet assay (SCGE), and the clastogenic effect was investigated on peripheral blood cells of Swiss mice and bone marrow cells of Wistar rats, with the micronucleus and chromosome aberrations tests. The animals were treated by gavage with 3 concentrations of the extract: 300, 600 and 900 mg.kg-1. Peripheral blood cells of Swiss mice were collected 4 and 24 hours after the treatment to the SCGE assay and 48 and 72 hours to the micronucleus test. Bone marrow cells of Wistar rats were collected 24 hours after the treatment to the micronucleus and chromosome aberration tests. The results showed that the A. populnea chloroform fraction induced an increase in the average number of DNA damage in peripheral blood cells at the three concentrations tested, but this increase was not statistically significant. In the micronucleus and chromosome aberrations test, no significant increase was observed in the mean number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) of Swiss mice or MNPCE or chromosome aberrations for the rat bone marrow cells, for any of the tested doses. Our findings enable us to conclude that by the comet assay, A. populnea chloroform fraction from barkwood extract showed no genotoxic effects, and by the micronucleus and chromosome aberration tests, the extract fraction showed no clastogenic/aneugenic effects on the rodent cells tested.

Walking and body mass index in a Portuguese sample of adults: a multilevel analysis.

Physical inactivity is an important risk factor for many chronic diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cross-sectional associations between walking and body mass index (BMI). This study comprised 9991 adults (5723 women), aged 37.8+/-9.5 years, from the 2004 Azorean Physical Activity and Health Study. Walking was assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and expressed as minutes per week. BMI was calculated from self-reported weight and height. A series of multilevel linear regression models were fitted to assess regression coefficients and s.e. predicting BMI. Results show that, in both genders, and after adjustments for potential confounders, walking was not a significant predictor of BMI. Therefore, our analysis does not extend the findings of earlier studies as it shows no significant associations between walking and BMI, after adjustments for potential confounders. Nevertheless, among Azoreans walking should be encouraged, as walking has other health benefits, beyond controlling obesity.

Association of physical fitness and body mass index in youth.

AIM: The aim of this study was to establish physical fitness (PF) levels in a school population of 11-18-year-old students and analyse differences according to body mass index (BMI) status in overweight METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. The sample comprises 636 children and adolescents (mean age of 14.5+/-1.5 years), 288 boys (45.3%) and girls 347 (54.7%). Six tests from Fitness-gram battery were used as an objective measure of physical fitness. Overweight/ Obesity status was determined using age and sex adjusted cut-off points. RESULTS: Both girls and boys with obesity performed a significantly reduced number of tests in healthy fitness zone suggesting a decrease of performances in strength and cardiovascular fitness, from normal weight status to overweight and from overweight to obesity. Boys and girls with obesity are likely to be Under HFZ than normal weight. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that obese and overweight children have low PF level compared to normal weight peers. A large number of children with normal weight were identified as well as unfit. These data also showed that a low BMI level would significantly improve some PF component.

Infestação de Tunga penetrans siphonaptera: Tungidae em cascos de vacas leiteiras F1 Holandês-Zebu / Infestation of Tunga penetrans siphonaptera: Tungidae in hooves of F1 Holstein-Zebu cows

Tunga penetrans rate of infestation in hooves of confined F1 Holstein-Zebu cows during the dry season was recorded. First parturition cows showed an infestation rate of 90.5 percent in the thorax and 96.9 in the pelvic members, second parturition cows showed an infestation rate of 95.3 percent in the thorax and 100 percent in the pelvic members while third parturition cows showed rate of infestation of 100 percent for both members.

Relationship between physical activity and obesity in children and adolescents.

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to analyze the relationship between physical activity (PA) and obesity in Portuguese children and adolescents. METHODS: The sample consisted of 1341 children and adolescents (8-15 years of age), 634 males (age, 10.6+/-2.3 y; body mass, 40.6+/-12.7 kg; height, 1.431+/-1.41 m) and 707 females (age, 10.9+/-2.4 y; body mass, 50+/-12.4 kg; height, 1.428+/-1.32 m). The sample was divided into quartiles of percentage of body fat (%BF) and physical activity index (PAI), within age and gender. Children in the upper %BF quartile were defined as obese (arbitrary definition). Logistic regression for each PAI quartile was used to determine the odds ratio of obese children and adolescents (> or = P75 of %BF) in comparison to their non-obese counterparts (< P75 of %BF). RESULTS: Males in the lowest PAI quartile have an odds ratio of 2.1 of having obesity in relation to males in the highest PAI quartile. For females any significant result was found between PAI quartiles. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in this study add some data to the controversy of PA and obesity relationship youth. Logistical regression shows that males who have a lower PAI have an odds ratio of 2.1 of obesity, in comparison with males that have higher PAI. Those findings were not found in girls.

Estudo técnico e econômico de um sistema de produção de leite com gado mestiço F1 Holandês-Zebu / Technical and economic evaluation on of a milk production system for F1 Holstein-Zebu cattle

Avaliaram-se a viabilidade técnica e a rentabilidade de um sistema de produção de leite com gado mestiço, mediante análise de custos e receitas da atividade e avaliação da rentabilidade. Os dados foram obtidos de uma unidade experimental da EPAMIG, situada no município de Felixlândia, MG, e referem-se a dois períodos iguais de um ano cada. As variáveis analisadas foram: rentabilidade nos períodos de análise, custo de cria do bezerro e sua importância sobre a receita da atividade. A viabilidade do sistema foi demonstrada pela rentabilidade de 20,2 por cento no ano 1 e 37,6 por cento no ano 2; a venda dos bezerros à desmama representou 25 por cento da receita total.

Age and gender-related physical activity. A descriptive study in children using accelerometry.

AIM: Precise measures of habitual physical activity are necessary in studies designed to: 1) document the frequency and distribution of physical activity in defined population groups; 2) determine the amount or dose of physical activity requires to influence specific health parameters. The purpose of this study was to document the age and gender-related physical activity levels on a sample of school children. METHODS: The sample for the present study comprised 157 children (boys n=64 and girls n=93), aged 8 to 15 years-old. The CSA activity monitor was used as an objective measure of daily physical activity. Each student in the present study was scheduled to wear the CSA 3 times during the week of monitoring. RESULTS: Boys were involved (p=/<0.05) in more time MVPA than girls. However only in the 11-13 year old group were found significant differences (p=/<0.05). Within gender, significant differences were found out among 11-13 years old (48.7 min) and 14-16 years (72.2 min). The time in MVPA increased across age group in both males and females. Boys participated in more periods of continuous physical activity, bouts of 10 and 20 min respectively, than girls. However no significant differences were found out. CONCLUSION: Our data showed that children under observation, excepted girls in the 11-13 year old group, appear to meet the minimum physical activity level recommended for health. The data also suggested that boys are more active than girls are and that they were significantly more engaged in more time MVPA than girls did. Surprisingly our data showed an increase in MVPA time as age increases. Further studies are needed to compare the different cut off points assessed during daily activity.

Relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition and blood pressure in school children.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this comparative and correlational cross-sectional study was to describe the associations between cardiorespiratory fitness, blood pressure and body composition in Portuguese school children. METHODS: The sample comprised 529 children (246 males and 283 females) aged 8-15 years-old. Body height and body mass were determined by standard anthropometric METHODS: Blood pressures were measured with children sitting after at least 5 min rest. The maximal multistage 20 m shuttle run test was carried-out to predict maximal aerobic power. RESULTS: The present study shows that boys were more fit (p= or <0.05) and less fat than girls (p= or <0.05). Multiple regression analysis reveals that weight and age explained significantly (p= or <0.01) the amounts of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). In girls, percentage of fat (%F) showed an influence on the variance in SBP (4.9%, p= or <0.05). In addition, weight (14.5%) and age (9.8%) account significantly (p= or <0.01) for the amount of variance to DBP in males. For girls, age (11.4%) and BMI (2.4%) account significantly to the variance found in DBP. However, the independent variables, for both sexes, account less than 50% of the overall variance found in blood pressures values. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the present study shows that boys were more fit and had less fat than girls. The level of cardiorespiratory fitness does not seem to be an important correlate of blood pressure variation across age groups and gender.

Response of blood pressure to maximum exercise in hypertensive patients under different therapeutic programs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the behavior of blood pressure during exercise in patients with hypertension controlled by frontline antihypertension drugs. METHODS: From 979ergometric tests we retrospectively selected 49 hypertensive patients (19 males). The age was 53+/-12 years old and normal range rest arterial pressure (< or = 140/90 mmHg) all on pharmacological monotherapy. There were 12 on beta blockers; 14 on calcium antagonists, 13 on diuretics and 10 on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. Abnormal exercise behavior of blood pressure was diagnosed if anyone of the following criteria was detected: peak systolic pressure above 220 mmHg, raising of systolic pressure > or = 10 mmHg/MET; or increase of diastolic pressure greater than 15 mmHg. RESULTS: Physiologic response of arterial blood pressure occurred in 50% of patients on beta blockers, the best one (p<0.05), in 36% and 31% on calcium antagonists and on diuretics, respectively, and in 20% on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, the later the least one (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Beta-blockers were more effective than calcium antagonists, diuretics and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in controlling blood pressure during exercise, and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors the least effective drugs.

Blood pressure in pediatric years (8-13 years old) in the Oporto region.

The early detection and treatment of primary and secondary hypertension in children may contribute to the improvement of health later in life. During childhood, the occurrence of arterial hypertension should be understood as a risk situation, even if the clinical signs of the disease are not obvious. Comparatively to other populations, only few epidemiological studies exist in Portugal to be used as clinical references. Thus, the aim of this work was to study the distribution curves of 30, 60 and 90 percentiles of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), related to age, height, and weight. To define the "cut off points" of hypertension in our population, we estimated the 95 percentile of SBP and DBP. This is a cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 474 children (242 boys and 232 girls), aged 8 to 13 years old, randomly selected in 30 different schools of the Oporto region. Weight, height and body mass index were evaluated as anthropometric reference values and blood pressures, SBP and DBP, were measured at rest. The results revealed a gradual increase in blood pressure values with age, height and weight. We found significant correlations (p < or = 0.05; p < or = 0.01) between SBP and DBP to the variables height, weight and blood mass index in both sexes. Multiple regression analysis showed that weight and age explain significantly (p < or = 0.01) the variation of SBP in both sexes. Related to DBP, in males and females, only age accounted significantly for the amount of variance. In conclusion, the present study pointed out the need to associate the SBP and DBP values to the age, weight and height of the subjects, mainly in boys. This work stresses the need for SBP and DBP percentile tables related to age, to weight and to height, for the Portuguese population, particularly for pediatric ages.