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Vital Signs in Children
Vital Signs in Children
Topic Overview
What are vital signs?
Vital signs include heart rate, respiration (breathing rate), blood pressure, and temperature. Knowing the ranges for vital signs for your child can help you notice problems early or relieve concerns you may have about how your child is doing. The table below includes information that can help.
Normal ranges for vital signs
Vital Sign
|
Infant
|
Child
|
Pre-Teen/Teen
|
|
0 to 12 months
|
1 to 11 years
|
12 and up
|
Heart Rate
|
100 to 160 beats per minute (bpm)
|
70 to 120 bpm
|
60 to 100 bpm
|
Respiration (breaths)
|
0 to 6 months
30 to 60 breaths per minute (bpm)
6 to 12 months
24 to 30 bpm
|
1 to 5 years
20 to 30 (bpm)
6 to 11 years
12 to 20 bpm
|
12 to 18 bpm
footnote 1
|
Blood Pressure ( systolic/ diastolic)
footnote 1
|
0 to 6 months
65 to 90/45 to 65 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg)
6 to 12 months
80 to 100/55 to 65 mm Hg
|
90 to 110/55 to 75 mm Hg
|
110 to 135/65 to 85 mm Hg
|
Temperature
|
All ages
98.6 F
(normal range is 97.4 F to 99.6 F)
|
All ages
98.6 F
(normal range is 97.4 F to 99.6 F)
|
All ages
98.6 F
(normal range is 97.4 F to 99.6 F)
|
Learn more
Learn more about how to take your child's temperature, take a pulse, measure blood pressure, and count breaths with these topics:
-
Body Temperature
-
Rectal, Ear, and Oral Temperature Comparison
-
Pulse Measurement
- Counting Respiration Rates
-
Checking Blood Pressure at Home
References
References
Citations
- Harman M, et al. (2011). Pediatric emergency and resuscitation. In RM Kliegman et al., eds., Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 19th ed., p. 280. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.
Current as of: March 9, 2022
Author:
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Susan C. Kim MD - Pediatrics & Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & John Pope MD - Pediatrics & David Messenger MD
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
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