STUDY TO FIND OUT INCIDENCE OF ASYMPTOMATIC HYPERTENSION IN CHILDREN BETWEEN 6 TO 12 YEARS OF AGE IN PARWATI CLINIC AND RESEARCH CENTRE, DEOGHAR, JHARKHAND

Background: Asymptomatic nature of hypertension in children makes it all the more important to study its prevalence and risk factors in a specific age group to guide early detection strategies. Therefore, it is extremely necessary to know the magnitude of the problem in our society. Hence, this study was designed to find out the incidence find out the incidence of asymptomatic hypertension/high BP in school going children. Methodology: This study was carried out in Parwati Clinic and Research Centre from 04 March 2022 to 31 November 2022 among school going children of 6 to 12 years of age using cross-sectional technique. Total number of cases studied was 1052. Blood pressure was measured in a controlled environment and after 10 minutes of rest in seated position with cubital fossa supported at heart level. Blood pressure was recorded on three separate occasions. Results: The researcher found incidence of systolic and diastolic hypertension among boys were 4.60% and 3.64% respectively (Table 2) and in girls 3.77% and 3.96% (Table 1) respectively. The overall incidences of systolic and diastolic hypertension were 4.18% and 3.80% respectively. Conclusion: Blood pressure should be measured routinely in all paediatric examination including in office practice and monogram should be available to every doctor to classify a case of hypertension or normotension according to age, sex and height.