Normative Arm and Calf Blood Pressure Values in the Newborn

Indirect BP measurement was obtained in the right upper arm in 219 healthy newborn infants with the Dinamap monitor and was compared with values obtained from the calf to establish normative BP values and to help establish a diagnosis of hypertension and coarctation of the aorta in the newborn. There were 174 Mexican-Americans (79.5%), 33 whites (15.0%), and 12 blacks (5.5%). The width of the BP cuff was selected to be 0.4 to 0.5 times the circumference of the extremities. Three supine position readings of BPs and heart rate were obtained from each site and were averaged for statistical analyses. Mean arm BP values (±SD) of the neonate less than 36 hours of age were 62.6±6.9/38.9± 5.7 mm Hg (48.0±6.2 mm Hg). Neonates older than 36 hours had slightly but significantly (P