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Pediatric Vital Signs

Introduction

Blood pressure, pulse rate and respiratory rate are the routine vital signs measured in medicine. These vital signs remain relatively constant throughout our adult life. However, as infants and children grow and age, the normal range changes. Two tables of normal vital signs for the pediatric population are presented below.

Age (yr)	Respiratory Rate (breaths/min)	Heart Rate (beats/min)
<1	30-60	100-160
1-2	24-40	90-150
2-5	22-34	80-140
6-12	18-30	70-120
>12	12-16	60-100
Lower limits of systolic pressure†
0-28 days: 60 mmHg 1-12 months: 70 mm Hg 1-10 years: 70 mm Hg + (2¥ age in years)

Reference: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice 5th Edition

Vital Signs at Various Ages

Age	Heart Rate (beats/min)	Blood Pressure (mm Hg)	Respiratory Rate (breaths/min)
Premature	120-170 *	55-75/35-45†	40-70‡
0-3 mo	100-150 *	65-85/45-55	35-55
3-6 mo	90-120	70-90/50-65	30-45
6-12 mo	80-120	80-100/55-65	25-40
1-3 yr	70-110	90-105/55-70	20-30
3-6 yr	65-110	95-110/60-75	20-25
6-12 yr	60-95	100-120/60/75	14/22
12 * yr	55-85	110-135/65/85	12-18

References: Behrman, Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics: 17th edition.

* From Dieckmann R, Brownstein D, Gausche-Hill M (eds): Pediatric Education for Prehospital Professionals. Sudbury, Mass, Jones & Bartlett, American Academy of Pediatrics, 2000, pp 43-45.

† From American Heart Association ECC Guidelines, 2000.

Medically Reviewed by: Benjamin C. Wedro, MD, FAAEM

Last Editorial Review: 3/10/2008