Pediatric Vital Signs by Age: Heart Rate, BP, and Respiratory Rates

Newborn (0-28 days) Heart Rate

120-160 bpm

Newborn (0-28 days) Respiratory Rate

30-60 per minute

Newborn (0-28 days) Systolic BP

60-90 mmHg

Newborn (0-28 days) Diastolic BP

20-60 mmHg

Infant (1-12 mo) Heart Rate

100-160 bpm

Infant (1-12 mo) Respiratory Rate

30-53 per minute

Infant (1-12 mo) Systolic BP

72-104 mmHg

Infant (1-12 mo) Diastolic BP

37-56 mmHg

Toddler (1-3 yr) Heart Rate

98-140 bpm

Toddler (1-3 yr) Respiratory Rate

22-37 per minute

Toddler (1-3 yr) Systolic BP

86-106 mmHg

Toddler (1-3 yr) Diastolic BP

42-63 mmHg

School-age (6-12 yr) Heart Rate

75-118 bpm

School-age (6-12 yr) Respiratory Rate

18-25 per minute

School-age (6-12 yr) Systolic BP

97-115 mmHg

School-age (6-12 yr) Diastolic BP

57-76 mmHg

Adolescent (13-18 yr) Heart Rate

60-100 bpm

Adolescent (13-18 yr) Respiratory Rate

12-20 per minute

Adolescent (13-18 yr) Systolic BP

110-131 mmHg

Adolescent (13-18 yr) Diastolic BP

64-83 mmHg

Adult Heart Rate

60-100 bpm

Adult Respiratory Rate

12-20 per minute

Adult Systolic BP

<120 mmHg

Adult Diastolic BP

<80 mmHg

Fast at First, Slow with Size Rule

The younger the child, the faster the heart & breathing rates. They slow as the child grows.

Heart Rate Rhyme

"New little hearts beat quick as can be, toddlers slow down, then teens match me."

Respiratory Rate Ladder

Think: 60, 50, 30, 20.

Blood Pressure Growth

"Small numbers start small" - BP rises steadily with age.