Vital Signs in Children

Overview

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.

0 to 12 months old

Vital signs for infants ages 0 to 12 months include the following:

Heart rate

This is measured in beats per minute (bpm).

• 0 to 12 months: 70–190 bpm^{footnote 1}

Respiration (breaths)

This is measured in breaths per minute (bpm).

• 0 to 6 months: 25–64 bpm
• 6 to 12 months: 22–61 bpm^{footnote 2}

Temperature

This is measured in degrees Celsius (C) or Fahrenheit (F). The below range is based on the armpit method of temperature-taking.

• 0 to 12 months: 37 C (98.6 F). The normal range is 36.5 C–37.5 C (97.8 F–99.5 F).

1 to 11 years old

Vital signs for children ages 1 to 11 years include the following:

Heart rate

This is measured in beats per minute (bpm).

• 1 to 11 years: 52–156 bpm^{footnote 2}

Respiration (breaths)

This is measured in breaths per minute (bpm).

• 1 to 3 years: 21–33 bpm
• 4 to 11 years: 17–25 bpm^{footnote 2}

Blood pressure (systolic/diastolic)

Systolic blood pressure is the upper number of a blood pressure reading. Diastolic is the lower number. They are measured in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg).

What is normal and what is high blood pressure depends on your child's age, sex, and height.^{footnote 3}

Temperature

This is measured in degrees Celsius (C) or Fahrenheit (F). The below range is based on the armpit method of temperature-taking.

• 1 to 11 years: 37 C (98.6 F). The normal range is 36.5 C–37.5 C (97.8 F–99.5 F).

12 years and older

Vital signs for children ages 12 years and older include the following:

Heart rate

This is measured in beats per minute (bpm).

• 60–110 bpm^{footnote 1}

Respiration (breaths)

This is measured in breaths per minute (bpm).

• 12–22 bpm^{footnote 2}

Blood pressure (systolic/diastolic)

Systolic blood pressure is the upper number of a blood pressure reading. Diastolic is the lower number. They are measured in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg).

For children who are age 12, what is normal and what is high blood pressure depends on your child's age, sex, and height.^{footnote 3}

For children who are 13 and older, normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg or lower.^{footnote 3}

Temperature

This is measured in degrees Celsius (C) or Fahrenheit (F). The below range is based on the armpit method of temperature-taking.

37 C (98.6 F). The normal range is 36.5 C–37.5 C (97.8 F–99.5 F).