How to measure pressure in a child

Measurement of blood pressure is an important and essential procedure not only for adults but also for children. She holds a doctor in disorders of the cardiovascular, urinary, respiratory system and other indications. Children are also encouraged to measure pressure and as a preventive measure.

Instruction

1. To determine the magnitude of blood pressure in children, use special children's cuff. The result will depend on properly chosen lady's mantle, or rather its width. So, for a newborn the necessary width of the internal chamber of the cuff should be 3 cm for a breastfed baby – 5 cm, for children after a year – 8 cm, for teenagers and big kids – 10, see using the cuffs for adults leads to incorrect data.
2. Currently, to determine the pressure, there are electronic blood pressure monitors. They are divided into automatic and semi-automatic measurement devices. The first of them is able to pump air into the cuff with built-in pump, and the second with a bulb (special supercharger).Quite often at home apply mechanical sphygmomanometers. However working with them requires a certain skill and training. The person who makes the measurement must have good hearing to be able to accurately capture the sounds of the heart sounds.
3. Pressure from the baby is better to measure in the morning, immediately after waking up, or no later than 15 minutes after the rest. Make sure that the hand of the child was relaxed and lay palm up at heart level. On bare shoulder lay and fasten the cuff 2 cm above the elbow, so that between it and the skin could undergo one finger. Look in the bend area of the brachial artery and, without pressure, attach a stethoscope to determine pulse.
4. By means of the balloon inflate air into the cuff. In this capture the moment of disappearance of the sounds of the pulse beats. Then slowly start to reduce pressure, gradually opening the cylinder valve.
5. Next, you need to remember two numbers on the gauge, representing the magnitude of the systolic blood pressure. The top pressure is manifested by loud beats. With further pressure drop the colours in the cuff is gradually weaken and will soon disappear altogether. The time of cessation of pulsation corresponds to the indication bottom pressure.
6. Ideally, blood pressure should be determined on both hands, three times with an interval of 3 minutes. The end result are minimal indicators. Blood pressure in children up to 2 years is recommended to measure in the supine position.