Becoming a nurse

Blood pressure measuring of babies

I made the experience that measuring a baby's blood pressure isn't as easy as it seems like. Of course, it would be much more work, if it must be measured manually, which we luckily still learn in our practical nursing classes. But that's not the point.

Even with a blood pressure monitor the measurement is quite hard to fulfil, as babies are most of the time quite active, except when they're sleeping. They are predisposed to move around.

If they really don't like the measurement, they start screaming, which falsify the value. The result, a high blood pressure which is not reality. I talked to different nurses on my ward about my problem and what I experienced.

One tip was that I should do this measurement at the end of a vital sign control. It normally contains in addition to the blood pressure value, the measurement of temperature, pulse, saturation of oxygen and respiration. Especially with babies, who usually tolerate the other measurements better, this method seemed to work well.

But then I had another case. Even with trying the method I just mentioned before, and after some frustrated measurements, the blood pressures values were always too high.

Recently, one of my nursing colleagues gave me another tip. As she's quite experienced in paediatric nursing, she said I should try to measure the blood pressure during the time the baby is sleeping, because then it's relaxed.

It confused me a bit, because I don't want to wake up the baby unnecessary.

She agreed with me, but added I should try to do it when the baby has already slept for a while. It would be best to inform the parents, that they can ring the bell shortly before the baby will wake up. They know best, how long their little prince or princess normally takes a nap.

But some babies are already stressed when a doctor or a nurse enters the room. In such a case it is more or less impossible to get a trustful blood pressure value.

There is a possibility to give a small blood pressure monitor at home, if it is necessary for further clarification about the reason of the high blood pressure. The mother measures the blood pressure in a non-medical surrounding. With this method, the possible influence of a doctor's or nurse's presence is eliminated.

Never forget to check the right size of the blood pressure cuff. A cuff, which doesn't fit the size, can lead to false high value as well.

Now some questions to hopefully start a discussion ;)

What are your experiences with blood pressure measuring of babies?

Do you think it is harder than in adults? Why? Why not?

What are your personal strategies to measure a good blood pressure?

Did you know about those advices I wrote about before or was it all new to you?

It would be very valuable for me and my nursing career, if you just leave a short comment to the questions :) Sharing is caring!