Kids are not small adults. Their normal heart rate and breathing rate are faster, and their blood pressure is lower. Ranges vary a little between textbooks, so use your program's values for exams.
Normal ranges by age
| Age | Heart rate (per min) | Respirations (per min) | Systolic BP (mm Hg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn (0 to 1 month) | 110 to 160 | 30 to 60 | 60 to 85 |
| Infant (1 to 12 months) | 100 to 160 | 25 to 50 | 70 to 100 |
| Toddler (1 to 3 years) | 90 to 140 | 20 to 30 | 80 to 110 |
| Preschool (3 to 5 years) | 80 to 120 | 20 to 25 | 80 to 110 |
| School age (6 to 12 years) | 70 to 110 | 18 to 25 | 90 to 120 |
| Adolescent (13 and up) | 60 to 100 | 12 to 20 | 110 to 130 |
Rules worth memorizing
- Low blood pressure in kids ages 1 to 10: a systolic BP below 70 + (2 × age in years). For a 4-year-old, that is below 78.
- Low blood pressure is a late sign. Kids keep their BP up until they are very sick. A fast heart rate, slow capillary refill, and less urine show up first.
- Fever: 38.0 °C (100.4 °F) or higher. Any fever in a baby under 3 months needs to be checked by a provider right away.
- Slow heart rate in a sick child usually means low oxygen. Check breathing first.
How to take them
- Count breathing first, while the child is calm. Crying changes every number.
- Count respirations and pulse for a full minute in infants. Their breathing is often irregular.
- Use the apical pulse for children under 2.
- Use the right size BP cuff. The bladder should circle about 80% to 100% of the arm. Too small reads high. Too big reads low.
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Quick answers
What is a normal heart rate for an infant?
About 100 to 160 beats per minute for infants 1 to 12 months old. Ranges vary slightly between textbooks.
What is considered low blood pressure in a child?
For ages 1 to 10, a systolic blood pressure below 70 plus twice the age in years. Low blood pressure is a late sign in children.
Evidence & Clinical Sources
- American Heart Association PALS guidelines
- Hockenberry, Wong's Essentials of Pediatric Nursing, Elsevier
Reviewed against current guidelines and drug labels. Always follow your program, a current drug reference, and facility policy. Our sources policy
For learning only. Lab ranges and policies vary. Always follow your nursing program, a current drug reference, and your facility's policies.