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APPENDIX A: Normal Pediatric Vital Signs

Normal Pediatric Vital Signs

TABLE 1A

Range of Normal Values for Respiratory Rate and Heart Rate in Childhood

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TABLE 1A

Range of Normal Values for Respiratory Rate and Heart Rate in Childhood
Age Respiratory Rate (Per Minute) Heart Rate (Per Minute)
Neonate 35–66 93–154
1 month 34–64 121–182
3 months 32–61 106–186
6 months 30–56 109–169
12 months 27–49 89–151
5 years 16–31 65–133
10–18 years 12–20 60–120
TABLE 1B

Range of Blood Pressure Values for Children of Average Height*

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TABLE 1B

Range of Blood Pressure Values for Children of Average Height*

Age BP Percentile Value or Range**
Neonate (term) Systolic 5th 63
50th 78
95th 92
Diastolic 5th 30
50th 45
95th 60
1–5 years Systolic 50th 85–95
95th 103–112
Diastolic 50th 37–53
95th 56–72
6–10 years Systolic 50th 96–102
95th 114–119
Diastolic 50th 55–61
95th 74–80
11–18 years Systolic 50th 104–118
95th 121–136
Diastolic 50th 61–67
95th 80–87

Abbreviations: BP, blood pressure.

*Please consult alternate sources for more precise classification of normal blood pressure since the values vary slightly by gender, age, and height. Data derived in part from (1) American Academy of Pediatrics. The fourth report on the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of high blood pressure in children and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2004;114:555–576; (2) Zubrow AB, et al. Determinants of blood pressure in infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units: a prospective, multicenter study. J Perinatol. 1995;15:470–479; and (3) Rusconi F, et al. Reference values for respiratory rate in the first 3 years of life. Pediatrics. 1994;94:350–355.

**By convention, the inflatable bladder width of an appropriate size cuff covers at least 40% of the arm circumference at a point midway between the olecranon and the acromion (for more information consult the American Heart Association or search their website at www.americanheart.org).

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