Normal Blood Pressure for a Newborn Baby

High blood pressure is rare among infants. It is typically caused by premature birth or problems with the baby's heart or kidneys. It is important that high blood pressure is monitored and controlled due to its negative effects on the cardiovascular system. Often, with infants, once the underlying illness or problem is corrected, high blood pressure will correct itself.

Normal Range

• For an infant, the systolic pressure should be between 70 to 90. The normal range also depends upon the baby's weight, age and gender. Using these values, a doctor will compare your baby's blood pressure with the national normal ranges.
  If your baby's blood pressure is greater than the 95th percentile for her age, gender and weight, she will be diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Prevalence

• About 3 percent of infants have high blood pressure. It is typically caused by problems with the kidney or heart or prematurity.

What is Blood Pressure?

• Blood pressure is a measurement of the pressure against vessel walls as the heart pumps the blood through them. This pressure increases when the heart contracts. Blood pressure is constantly changing and can be affected by stress, activity, fear, diet and medication.

Effects of High Blood Pressure

• High blood pressure causes the arteries and heart to work too hard. If high blood pressure goes on for too long, the heart may become weak and not work as well as it should.

Measuring Blood Pressure

• Blood pressure is measured using a sphygmonanometer. This is a cuff that is wrapped around the bicep and inflated. It pushes against the large artery in the arm and the pressure is measured as the air in the cuff is released.

Cause of High Blood Pressure in Infants

• In babies, high blood pressure is usually caused by illness. It is more common in infants that are born prematurely. If a baby is having trouble with her lungs, heart or kidneys, she is more likely to have high blood pressure.