NPBPAF
National Pediatric Blood Pressure Awareness Foundation

    The NPBPAF is a national, non-profit organization founded to ensure that every child receives routine blood pressure monitoring through the physician's office, emergency departments, and any other facility that cares for children.  This will be achieved through raising awareness with health care providers including physicians, nurses and other support staff, along with the parenting community.  Our goal is to educate families on the important benefits of having routine blood pressure monitoring beginning at age 3, as is recommended by both the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.  We encourage children and adolescents to lead healthy lifestyles by obtaining adequate exercise and eating a balance diet.

An estimated 2 million children in our country have undiagnosed hypertension (high blood pressure.)  This is a serious issue, that if left untreated, can lead to permanent organ failure, stroke, heart attack or possibly even death.

"Many children have at least one risk factor for high blood pressure, including premature birth, family history and obesity.  Early detection is key - this is best achieved through increased awareness and consistent blood pressure screening of all our children." 
Meghan P. Howell, MD, FAAP
Tulane University School of Medicine
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics
Section of General Academic Pediatrics