Clinical inquiries. Does blood pressure screening benefit children?

Screening may not show benefits in childhood but could pay off for adults. Although major professional organizations recommend measuring blood pressure (BP) at every clinic visit for all children older than 3 years (strength of recommendation [SOR]: C, expert opinion), scant evidence links earlier detection and treatment of childhood hypertension with improved patient-oriented outcomes. However, detecting childhood hypertension may help identify adults who would benefit from earlier treatment.