Pediatric hypertension is defined as blood pressure at or above the 95th percentile for age, sex, and height on repeated measurements.

• A. Blood pressure above the 90th percentile on a single measurement
• B. Blood pressure at or above the 95th percentile for age, sex, and height on repeated measurements
• C. Blood pressure above the 99th percentile on a single measurement
• D. Blood pressure above the 85th percentile on repeated measurements

Answer: (B)

In kids, blood pressure is interpreted using percentile charts that account for how a child’s size and growth affect normal values. Hypertension is diagnosed not by a single high reading, but by a blood pressure at or above the 95th percentile for the child’s age, sex, and height, confirmed on repeated measurements. This dual requirement—the percentile threshold and multiple assessments—helps distinguish true hypertension from temporary spikes due to anxiety, activity, or measurement error.

So the correct idea is the statement that describes blood pressure at or above the 95th percentile for age, sex, and height, measured on more than one occasion. This is different from a one-time reading above the 90th percentile (which would be considered elevated, not hypertension), or a one-time reading above the 99th percentile (very high but not the standard diagnostic criterion by itself), or measurements above the 85th percentile (which indicates elevated but not hypertensive BP).