Topic: Pediatric Vital Signs
When children deteriorate, they generally deteriorate more rapidly than an adult. Vital
signs and clinical status will assist you in determining is the child is in distress. Obtain a
set of all vital signs on all children, including weight in kilograms. Vital signs are
affected by a variety of internal and external factors, any abnormalities should be
carefully reviewed.
Heart rate
Should be taken for one full minute
Infants and young children should have their heart rate taken at the apex of the
heart using a stethoscope
Respiration
Should be taken for one full minute
Respiratory rhythm and depth are also clinically important, and can be determined
with manual assessment and observation of the patient's respiratory pattern
Vital Sign Ranges
Age
Weight (kg)
Pulse
Resp
Systolic BP*
Newborn
3
100-180
30-60
60-70
6 mos
7
100-160
30-60
70-80
1 yr
10
100-140
24-40
72-107
2
12
80-130
24-40
74-110
3
14
80-130
24-40
76-113
4
16
80-120
22-34
78-115
5
18
80-120
22-34
80-116
6
20
70-110
18-30
82-117
8
25
70-110
18-30
86-120
10
30-35
60-100
16-24
90-123
12
40
60-100
16-24
90-127
14
50
60-100
16-24
90-132
15+
50-55+
60-100
14-20
90-135
*BP in children is a late and unreliable indicator of shock
