Know the Causes of Low Blood Pressure in Children Here

Low blood pressure in children often does not show typical symptoms. However, this condition should be suspected if your child often feels dizzy and tired quickly after playing or doing certain activities. In children, hypotension can be a dangerous condition if there are complaints of dizziness and fatigue, weakness, nausea or vomiting, blurred vision, or fainting. Normal blood pressure in children is different from adults. In children, normal blood pressure is distinguished by age, namely:

• Children aged 1-2 years range from 90-100 mmHg systolic and 60 mmHg diastolic.
• Children aged 3-5 years range from 90-105 mmHg systolic and 60-70 mmHg diastolic.
• Children aged 6-9 years range from 95-105 mmHg systolic and 60-70 mmHg diastolic.
• Teenagers aged 10-15 years range from 110-120 mmHg systolic and 70-79 mmHg diastolic.

A child can be said to have low blood pressure or hypotension when the blood pressure is below 90/60 mmHg. To determine what is the value of a child's blood pressure, it is necessary to check the blood pressure using a special child tensimeter.

Various Causes of Low Blood Pressure in Children

Low blood pressure in children can be caused by various factors, namely:

1. Lack of fluid intake

The density of the child's activity often makes him forget to drink water. Lack of fluid intake can cause your child to become dehydrated and trigger a decrease in blood pressure. In addition to lack of drinking, dehydration can also be caused by diarrhea, fever, and vomiting too much.

2. Lack of nutritional intake

Lack of nutritional intake, such as iron, vitamin B12, and folate (vitamin B9), can inhibit the body from producing enough red blood cells. In fact, red blood cells have an important role to carry hemoglobin throughout the body. Hemoglobin is a protein in the blood that contains oxygen. Without enough oxygen content in the blood, the body's organs are unable to function properly, so the body will experience anemia. Anemia in children can cause low blood pressure.

3. Orthostatic hypotension

When children make movements or change body position quickly, for example from a sitting position and then immediately stand up or vice versa, blood pressure can drop suddenly. Decreased blood pressure due to changes in posture and body movements that are too fast is called orthostatic hypotension. If you experience this condition, your child may feel dizzy for a few seconds to several minutes.

4. Hot air conditions

Low blood pressure in children is also caused by air that is too hot, especially if he is in a crowded and crowded environment. This condition, called heat stroke, can occur when a child plays or exercises outside the home during hot weather.

5. Abnormalities in the adrenal glands

The adrenal gland is a small gland that is above the kidney. Although small, this gland has great benefits and functions for the body. This gland produces the hormone cortisol, a hormone that acts to reduce the risk of inflammation in the body, increase blood sugar, control stress, produce energy, and regulate blood pressure. If the child's adrenal glands are disturbed, their blood pressure will also be interrupted.

6. Severe infections or sepsis

Sepsis is a dangerous complication caused by an infectious disease. This condition can make blood pressure drop dramatically or shock, causing damage to various organs of the body. Sepsis that is not treated immediately can cause fatal complications that can take lives.

7. Heart disorders

Heart disorders, such as arrhythmias, heart failure, and congenital heart disease, can also be a cause of low blood pressure in children. This condition makes the blood does not flow smoothly to all parts of the body. As a result the body's organs and tissues will lack of oxygen. This condition can make a child weak, easily tired, and shortness of breath. By knowing the causes of low blood pressure in children and their symptoms, you can be aware and detect this condition early. If the child looks very weak, fainted, has shortness of breath, palpitations, seizures, or signs of shock, immediately take it to the emergency room or to the pediatrician to get treatment as soon as possible.