Evaluating The Relation of Time Spent On Internet and Video Games On Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Parameters In Children And Adolescents

Abstract

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to determine the role of internet addiction and video games in blood pressure elevation in children and adolescents by evaluating ambulatory blood pressure monitoring measurements.Patients and Methods: This study was carried out with the patients who were referred to our pediatric nephrology out patient clinic for evaluation of hypertension. Children aged between 12 and 18 years old were included in the study. Patients with chronic kidney disease, chronic heart disease, endocrinological diseases, psychiatric diseases were excluded from the study. Demographic data, clinical and laboratory findings of the patients were obtained from hospital records. Ambulatory blood presssure monitoring was performed to evaluate hypertension. Young Internet Addiction Scale and Video Game Scale scores and ABPM parameters were compared.Results: Of the 107 patients included in our study, 40 were girls and 67 were boys. The mean age was 14.9±1.8 years. According to ABPM measurements, 43 (40.2%) of 107 patients were normotensive, 24 (22.4%) prehypertensive, and 40 (37.4%) hypertensive. We detected that as the test scores increased, the overall mean systolic blood pressure increased, but it did not reach a statistically significant state. As Young's Internet Addiction test score increased, the maximum daytime systolic blood pressure and mean daytime systolic blood pressure increased. Conclusion: Sedentary life style has increased the frequency of hypertension along with obesity. Both video game playing and increased time spent on the Internet; increase sedentary life and obesity and may also lead to the development of hypertension indepently from obesity. Therefore, we think that problematic internet use and video game playing disorders should be evaluated when investigating hypertensive children and adolescents.