Vital signs include heart rate (pulse), breathing rate (respiration), blood pressure, and temperature. Knowing the ranges for vital signs for your child may help you notice health problems early or relieve concerns you may have about how your child is doing.
0 to 12 months old
Vital signs for infants can change when they are active, asleep, or sick. And what's healthy for your child depends on their age and their health.
Vital signs for ages 0 to 12 months include the following:
Heart rate (pulse)
This is measured in beats per minute (bpm).
- 0 to 12 months: 100 to 180 bpm
Breathing rate (respiration)
This is measured in breaths per minute.
- 0 to 12 months: 30 to 55 breaths per minute
Temperature
This is measured in degrees Fahrenheit (F) or Celsius (C).
- 0 to 12 months: 98.6 °F (37 °C). The range for babies is 97.4 °F (36.3 °C) to 99.6 °F (37.6 °C).
1 to 11 years old
Vital signs for children can change when they are active, asleep, or sick. And what's healthy for your child depends on their age and their health.
A child's heart rate (pulse) and breathing rate (respiration) usually slow as they get older.
Vital signs for ages 1 to 11 years include the following:
Heart rate
This is measured in beats per minute (bpm).
- 1 to 11 years: 70 to 140 bpm
Breathing rate
This is measured in breaths per minute.
- 1 to 3 years: 20 to 35 breaths per minute
- 4 to 11 years: 17 to 25 breaths per minute
Blood pressure (systolic/diastolic)
Systolic blood pressure is the upper number (for example, 110/70) of a blood pressure reading. Diastolic is the lower number (110/70). They are measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
What a healthy blood pressure is depends on your child's age, sex, and height.
Temperature
This is measured in degrees Fahrenheit (F) or Celsius (C).
- 1 to 11 years: 98.6 °F (37 °C). The range for children is 97.4 °F (36.3 °C) to 99.6 °F (37.6 °C).
12 years and older
Vital signs for children can change when they are active, asleep, or sick. And what's healthy for your child depends on their age and their health.
A child's heart rate (pulse) and breathing rate (respiration) usually slow as they get older.
Vital signs for ages 12 years and older include the following:
Heart rate
This is measured in beats per minute (bpm).
Breathing rate
This is measured in breaths per minute.
- 12 to 20 breaths per minute
Blood pressure (systolic/diastolic)
Systolic blood pressure is the upper number (for example, 110/70) of a blood pressure reading. Diastolic is the lower number (110/70). They are measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
For children who are age 12, what a healthy blood pressure is depends on your child's sex and height.
For children who are 13 and older, a healthy blood pressure range is 90/60 mm Hg to 119/79 mm Hg.
Temperature
This is measured in degrees Fahrenheit (F) or Celsius (C).
- An average body temperature is about 98.6 °F (37 °C). But for many children, it can vary a little bit and still be considered healthy for them.
