The development of methods for measuring blood pressure (BP) in newborns and small children has a rich history. Methods for BP measuring in adults had to be adapted to this age group. For measuring BP in direct invasive way, a suitable approach had to be found to access the arterial circulation through the umbilical and later radialis artery. Currently, results obtained from direct invasive BP measurement are considered the "gold standard". The development of non-invasive methods for BP measuring in newborns and children began with the use of von Basch's sphygmomanometer (1880). In 1899, Gustav Gärtner constructed the device, which was the basis for the flush method. After the discovery of the palpation and auscultation methods, these methods were also used for BP measurement in newborns and children, however, the BP values obtained in these ways were typically underestimated using excessively wide cuffs. From the auscultation method, methods utilizing ultrasound and infrasound to detect arterial wall movement and blood flow were later developed. The oscillometric method for BP measurement was introduced by E. J. Marey so early as in 1876. In 1912, P. Balard used the oscillometric technique to measure blood pressure in a large group of newborns. Through different types of oscillometers using various methods for detecting vascular oscillations (such as xylol method, impedance and volume plethysmography, etc.), the development has continued to assessment of vascular oscillations by modern sensor technology and software. For continuous non-invasive blood pressure measurement, the volume-clamp method, first described by Jan Peňáz in 1968, was developed. After modification for use in newborns, application of the cuff to the wrist instead of the finger, it is primarily used in clinical physiological studies to evaluate beat-to-beat BP and heart rate pressure variability, such as in the determination of the baroreflex sensitivity.

• MeSH
• Arterial Pressure * MeSH
• Arteries MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Infant MeSH
• Blood Pressure MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Blood Pressure Determination * methods   MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Fingers MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

To characterize the differences in baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and respiration rate (RR) in preterm infants with a similar postconceptional age reached by various combinations of gestational and postnatal ages. To detect potential sex differences in assessed cardiovascular parameters. The study included 49 children (24 boys and 25 girls), postconceptional age 34.6+/-1.9 weeks. Two subgroups of infants were selected with the similar postconceptional age (PcA) and current weight, but differing in gestational (GA) and postnatal (PnA) ages, as well as two matched subgroups of boys and girls. Blood pressure (BP) was recorded continuously using Portapres device (FMS). A stationary segment of 250 beat-to-beat BP values was analyzed for each child. Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) was calculated by cross-correlation sequence method. Despite the same PcA age and current weight, children with longer GA had higher BRS, diastolic and mean BP than children with shorter GA and longer PnA age. Postconceptional age in preterm infants is a parameter of maturation better predicting baroreflex sensitivity and blood pressure values compared to postnatal age. Sex related differences in BRS, BP, HR and RR were not found in our group of preterm infants.

• MeSH
• Baroreflex * MeSH
• Time Factors MeSH
• Respiratory Rate MeSH
• Gestational Age MeSH
• Infant MeSH
• Blood Pressure * MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Infant, Premature * MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Premature Birth physiopathology   MeSH
• Sex Factors MeSH
• Heart Rate * MeSH
• Age Factors MeSH
• Check Tag
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH