Building South African blood pressure standards for children

This is a large study that will measure blood pressure and body measurements in thousands of South African children between ages 5 and 17. Right now, doctors in South Africa use blood pressure guidelines developed in Europe and the United States, which may not fit South African children. This study will collect information from children across all provinces and backgrounds to create the first South African blood pressure guidelines tailored to local children.

Doctors need accurate, local guidelines to know when a child's blood pressure is too high. Because South African children may have different growth patterns than European or American children, the current international guidelines may not work well in South Africa. This study will help create better, more accurate guidelines so South African doctors can spot and manage high blood pressure in children earlier.