RESUMO
UNLABELLED: To establish the normal values for Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) in normotensive, non-obese, male adolescents without family history of High Blood Pressure (HBP), a 24 hours ABPM study using oscillometric method (Space Lab 90207) was preformed on 102 subjects, 10-18 years of age, classified in 3 age groups: Group 1: 10-12, group 2: 13-15 and group 3: 16-18. RESULTS: Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure (SBP, DBP) mean values (+/- standard deviation), during 24 hours were: 109/64 (7.0/4.4), 114/65 (5.5/4.5) and 116/65 (6.5/5.1) mmHg; during awake period were: 111/66 (7.0/4.5), 116/68 (5.8/4.8) and 118/68 (6.3/5.6) mmHg; and during sleep period were: 99/56 (7.6/5.0), 104/55 (5.7/4.7) and 105/55 (8.1/5.8) mmHg, respectively. Statistically significant differences in the SBP between group 1 vs. 2 and 3 were found (p < 0.0002). The DBP did not increase with age. Casual BP values were similar to those obtained with ABPM during awake period. A nocturnal fall of 10.8/15.2, 10.3/19.1 and 11/19.1 percent in SBP and DBP respectively, were observed. CONCLUSION: The normal ABPM values in male adolescents, age 10 to 18, were established. These, are of great importance for the diagnosis of hypertension in the studied population. Contrary to other studies, no differences were found between casual BP and ABPM values, which implies than adolescents whose casual BP is higher that ABPM values (awake period) should be considered abnormal and be further evaluated.