Hypotension or low blood pressure in children can be due to various reasons. This is when the systolic or top reading pressure goes below 90mmHg, and the diastolic pressure or the bottom reading is below 60mmHg (1). According to most pediatric care guidelines, these blood pressure measures are less than the 5th percentile for children aged ten years or more. However, the normal measurements may vary in younger children. So you may seek pediatricians’ help to determine hypotension in children. Read on to know more about the causes, symptoms, and management of low blood pressure in children.
Types Of Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension) In Children
The threshold of blood pressure in adults is usually static. However, it differs in children based on their age, height, and gender percentile (2). Hypotension can be classified into four categories: Low blood pressure in children could be caused due to various factors or could be the result of a condition or an event.
Causes Of Low Blood Pressure In Children
Some of the common causes that affect children are mentioned below. Sometimes, it is difficult to figure out that the blood pressure of the child is low. But knowing the symptoms may help.
Signs And Symptoms Of Low Blood Pressure In Children
A child with low blood pressure is likely to show the following symptoms (1).
Dizziness or fainting Tiredness Nausea Difficulty to focus Blurred vision Feeling sick Breathing difficulties
Some children show mild symptoms, like headaches and chronic fatigue, which may or may not indicate a fall in blood pressure.
Diagnosis Of Low Blood Pressure In Children
A doctor will use the following steps to diagnose low blood pressure (13).
Treatment For Low Blood Pressure In Children
If the blood pressure has dropped due to any medical condition such as heart issues or infections or allergies, then the doctor may prescribe medications for it (14) (15).
If any medications are causing a drop in blood pressure, then the medications may be changed as per the symptoms and health condition of the child.
Low blood pressure in children is often manageable at home when it is due to physical stress, dehydration, or poor diet.
Home Care Tips For Children With Low Blood Pressure
A home care routine can help make low blood pressure manageable and may even help restore normal blood pressure.
Food that contains sodium could help in maintaining the blood pressure. Savory snacks, cured meats, cheese, chicken, soups, and bread have sodium content (16). You may speak to a pediatrician or a pediatric dietician to know about the right quantity of sodium your child needs at their age.
A well-balanced diet is also essential to maintain blood pressure. Having vegetables, fruits, and nuts as part of your daily diet helps. Foods rich in folic acid and vitamin B12 should be included in the regular meals. Image: Shutterstock
Drinking adequate water can help prevent dehydration, which is one of the causes for low blood pressure in children.
Tell your child to slow down the pace of any strenuous physical activity. The child must avoid standing or sitting for too long, especially in warm outdoors.
Compression stockings can help maintain optimum blood pressure in the upper body and prevent blood from pooling in the legs. Speak to the child’s doctor about the use of stockings for your child.
Let us help you study your child’s BP number. Here is a handy infographic discussing the steps of measuring blood pressure at home.
