BP UNDER 3
Historically, blood pressure readings have been difficult for physicians to obtain on younger children due to technology limitations and clinical difficulties of measurements in infants. Initially, Mila’s high blood pressure went undetected because it was never properly taken. The BP Under 3 Project at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is working to prevent this from happening again, by testing and piloting a new standard of care for measuring hypertension in high-risk children under three years of age. The project is also providing medical staff within all speciality care clinics the skills they need to ensure they are able to accurately measure BP in children less than 3. To help achieve this, The Magical Mila Foundation helped to create an educational training video, slides, posters and ID badge cards for staff.
Tips for Taking BP Under 3
- BP’s always in right upper arm (unless MD asks otherwise)
- Choose correct cuff, never over clothing
- Children under 3, sit in parents lap
- Take time to calm—pacifier, video, snack
- Arm at level of heart.