Normative Blood Pressure and Heart Rate in Pediatric Spinal Cord Injury

Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2013 · DOI: 10.1310/sci1902-87 · Published: April 1, 2013

Spinal Cord Injury Cardiovascular Science Pediatrics

Simple Explanation

Children with spinal cord injuries (SCI) may experience cardiovascular issues due to their age, physical development, and the injury itself. It's important to consider these developmental changes when addressing heart-related problems in this group. This study aimed to find typical blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) measurements in young people with SCI. Researchers also looked at how age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and injury details might affect BP and HR. The study found that as age increased, BP also increased, while HR decreased. Higher BMI was linked to higher BP. Males, those with incomplete injuries, and those with paraplegia had higher systolic BP. Females had higher HR. Injury duration was not related to heart measures.

Study Duration

January 2003 to February 2012

Participants

315 youths under 19 years with SCI

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
With increasing age, SBP and DBP increased and HR decreased.
2
SBP and DBP were positively correlated with BMI.
3
There was no association between cardiovascular measures and injury duration.

Research Summary

This study aimed to determine baseline blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) measurements in youth with SCI, and to investigate differences in BP and HR in relation to age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and injury-related factors. With increasing age, SBP and DBP increased and HR decreased. SBP and DBP were positively correlated with BMI. SBP was higher in males, those with incomplete injury, and those with paraplegia. HR was higher in females. BP and HR are a function of age, BMI, and completeness and level of injury in youth with SCI. Awareness of baseline measures will allow for more effective management of cardiovascular complications, especially in youth presenting with atypical symptoms.

Practical Implications

Clinical Monitoring

Close monitoring of BMI and body composition changes in youth with SCI is warranted during their maturation.

Active Lifestyles

Encouragement of active lifestyles can decrease the risk of future metabolic and cardiovascular disorders.

Effective Management

Awareness of baseline BP and HR is essential for the recognition and management of cardiovascular complications, such as OH and AD in SCI.

Study Limitations

1
As this was a retrospective review, it was not possible to ensure a consistent method of obtaining BP and HR measurements, such as patient position (supine vs sitting; with vs without back or foot support), cuff placement, BP machine, and time of measurement.
2
Another limitation was the insufficient number of subjects in each age group; this did not allow stratification of the subjects in respect to different levels of injury, severity of injury, or duration of injury to determine how these factors would affect BP and HR in each age group.
3
Cardiovascular measures can also be affected by the presence of SCI- related conditions (eg, pain, spasticity, neurogenic bladder/bowel), the application of compression garments (eg, abdominal binders, stockings) and any medications and psychological issues, but these were not assessed.

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