Pattern of Systemic Hypertension Amongst High School Children in Conakry

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ML Kaha
AO Bah
ML Kourouma
B Camara

Keywords

Abstract

of high blood pressure among students between the ages of 14 and 18 in Conakry and to identify associated risk factors. This was a prospective study carried out in four out of the five councils in the town of Conakry in the month of April 2005. A group of 400 students (193 boys and 207 girls, M/F = 0.9: 1) were selected using a random sample of 50 students per school all aged between 14 and 18years. The mean age was 16.7 ± 1.3 years. Blood pressure was checked after 5 minutes of rest in a sitting position. High blood pressure was defined as systolic and diastolic blood pressure greater than 97.5 percentile based on three consecutive measurements and confirmed 24 hours later. The parameters studied among the hypertensive children were age, sex; personal and family history and body mass index. Eight students were diagnosed with hypertension: 6
girls (2.8%) and 2 boys (1.4%). Among them 4 (50%) were 18 years old, 2 (25%) were 17 years old and the other two were aged 15 (12,5%) and 16 (12,5%) respectively. A positive paternal family history of hypertension was present in four children (50%) with hypertension. A positive paternal family history of two cases (25%) of sickle cell disease and one (12,5%) case of diabetes were also documented. Five (62,5%) cases of a positive maternal history of hypertension was also recorded. In one case of8(12,5%), a positive paternal and maternal history of hypertension was
present. Body mass index was 24.8 kg/m2 on the average among those with high blood pressure and 19.9 kg/m2 among those with normal blood pressure.  
In conclusion, hypertension exists in the African
children and adolescents living in urban areas in
Guinea. The integration of early screening and
relevant dietary education will lead to prevention of
renal diseases

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