Oscillometric blood pressure reference values of African full-term neonates in their first days postpartum

BACKGROUND: Knowing the normative blood pressure (BP) in a newborn baby is important in order to identify abnormal BP readings. This study was done to determine normative BP values of Nigerian newborns, using the 8100 Dinamap monitor. METHODS: Consecutive full-term neonates delivered in a tertiary centre in Nigeria were recruited for the study. The babies’ systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and mean arterial (MAP) blood pressures were measured within the first four days after birth. RESULTS: A total of 473 babies were recruited for the study. The mean SBP, DBP and MAP readings on day 1 were 66.8 ± 7.7, 38.5 ± 6.3 and 47.9 ± 6.3 mmHg, respectively. The day 1 SBP of babies > 4 kg were significantly higher than those who weighed < 2.5 and 2.5–4 kg (p = 0.01, p = 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study provided current normative SBP, DBP and MAP values for Nigerian neonates. The BP readings compared with their Caucasian counterparts.