In this report, the National Center for Health Statistics presents estimates of blood pressure levels of US children aged 6 to 11 years from data collected in cycle II of the Health Examination Survey (HES) of 1963 to 1965. Of the probability sample of 7,417 children selected to represent the noninstitutionalized children 6 to 11 years of age in the United States, 7,119 (96%) were examined. Standard procedures were used to take two measurements with a mercury sphygmomanometer, with the subject recumbent. Diastolic pressure was defined as complete cessation of sounds.
Systolic blood pressure increased with each successive age group, while diastolic blood pressure increased irregularly and declined slightly among children aged 11 years. After age 6, girls generally had a higher systolic pressure. Girls tended to have a higher diastolic pressure as well, but the differences were not as large or as consistent as those for systolic pressure. Black