Pediatric nephrology : journal of the International Pediatric Nephrology Association
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Recently, an international consensus paper was published for standardization of home self-blood pressure (BP) measurement in adults. However, few data exist regarding home BP measurement in children, although it is recommended for all pediatric patients on renal replacement therapy in Germany. Therefore, a survey was performed among German-speaking pediatric nephrologists (members of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Pädiatrische Nephrologie) in order to study their opinions about home blood pressure measurements. ⋯ The results of the survey showed wide discrepancies for standards of home BP measurement in children and adolescents, especially for the recommendations for upper diastolic BP. Before home blood pressure measurements can be recommended unrestrictedly in children and adolescents, we stress the need for standardization of blood pressure devices and measurement. Prospective studies in children are needed to demonstrate that these standards facilitate better prediction of cardiovascular outcome using home BP measurements compared to office BP recordings in children.