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Background. The "Report of the Second Task Force on Blood Pressure Control in Children—1987" developed normative blood pressure (BP) data for children and adolescents. These normative data are used to classify BP levels. Since 1987, additional BP data in children and adolescents, the use of newer classes of drugs, and the role of primary prevention of hypertension have expanded the body of knowledge regarding the classification and treatment of hypertension in the young.

Objective. To report new normative BP data in children and adolescents and to provide additional information regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of hypertension in children.

Methods. A working group was appointed by the director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute as chair of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program (NHBPEP) Coordinating Committee. Data on children from the 1988 …