What is the normal systolic blood pressure range for preschoolers?

• A. 110 to 130
• B. 90 to 110
• C. 85 to 95
• D. 100 to 120

Answer: (B)

In preschoolers, normal systolic blood pressure is lower than adults, and the range you’d expect for a child around three to five years old is about ninety to one hundred ten millimeters of mercury. Readings within this window generally indicate normal perfusion for a young child. When measuring, use a properly sized cuff (width about 40% of the arm, length 80–100% of the arm circumference), have the child seated with the arm at heart level, and take at least two readings to confirm. Readings outside this range should be interpreted with consideration of factors that can skew results—nervousness, fever, recent activity, or an ill-fitting cuff—then recheck and, if persistently abnormal, pursue appropriate pediatric evaluation for hypertension or hypotension.