Low blood pressure in children: symptoms, causes and treatment

Does your child feel tired easily, even after doing light activity? Does he often complain of sudden dizziness or nausea? If so, then your child may have low blood pressure. Untreated low blood pressure can lead to fainting, injury, and potential damage to vital organs. Check out the sundries for low blood pressure in children starting from the causes, symptoms, and how to deal with it below.

What is low blood pressure?

Low blood pressure or hypotension occurs when the body is unable to maintain blood pressure within a normal range. This means that the heart, brain, and other parts of the body are not getting enough blood. Normal blood pressure ranges between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg. If the blood pressure reading less than 90/60 mmHg, then this condition is a case of hypotension.

Low blood pressure in children can be cured, but it is important to diagnose the cause to ascertain what is the best treatment.

What are the causes of low blood pressure in children?

Low blood pressure in children can occur due to various factors such as the following:

• Dehydration. Dehydration occurs because the amount of water the child consumes and the amount of fluid the body needs to carry out activities is not balanced. This condition may be a side effect of fever, severe diarrhea, or excessive sweating. Lack of fluids can reduce blood volume and cause hypotension.
• Drug. Certain medications and health supplements can dilate blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
• Anemia. Anemia is a major cause of hypotension in children.
• Adrenaline deficiency. Adrenaline deficiency is a disruption in the production and release of hormones necessary for the proper functioning of the body. Low blood pressure due to a lack of adrenaline occurs because there is too little salt or sodium in the body.
• Make fast movements. Orthostatic hypotension occurs due to sudden changes in body position. This usually occurs when the child suddenly rises to his feet after lying or sitting for a long time. This low blood pressure only lasts for a few seconds or minutes.
• Shock. This is a fatal condition in which the blood pressure is extremely low and the body cannot support it. This can be caused by low blood volume, impaired heart function, allergies, or excessive changes in blood vessels.

Symptoms of low blood pressure in children

Here are some of the most common symptoms of low blood pressure in children:

• Headache
• Kliyengan
• Fainting
• Blurred vision
• The heart beats faster than normal and the rhythm becomes irregular
• Dazed
• Nausea or feeling unwell
• Weak
• Feeling cold
• The skin turns pale
• Feeling thirsty or dehydrated (dehydration can cause blood pressure to drop)
• Difficulty focusing or concentrating

How to diagnose low blood pressure in children?

The pediatrician will try to find out the cause of low blood pressure in your child by monitoring his blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, or body temperature. The doctor may also advise your child to undergo the following tests:

• X-rays of the abdomen and chest
• Basic metabolic test
• ECG
• Urinalysis
• Blood culture test to check for infection
• Tests to check a complete blood count

What are the treatments for low blood pressure in children?

Blood pressure treatment depends entirely on the cause and the underlying symptoms. In many cases, low blood pressure can be treated with simple treatments that you can do at home.

Hypotension due to dehydration is relatively mild and reversible. The pediatrician will advise you to give your child more fluids to treat dehydration.

If your child has low blood pressure due to certain drugs, the doctor will change the dose or will switch to a different medication. Don't stop giving medicines to your child without talking to the doctor first.

Severe hypotension due to shock may require emergency medical attention in the form of:

• Children who are in shock may need more fluids
• They may need drugs to increase heart strength and blood pressure

When is it necessary to contact a doctor?

Tell the doctor right away if your child develops symptoms such as:

• Can't breathe
• Fainting
• Black or dark red stool
• Have a high fever
• Experiencing chest pain and irregular heartbeat

Low blood pressure may not be a common condition in children, but it is also not impossible. You can easily treat low blood pressure in children by consulting your pediatrician.

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