Heart rate 268 on a child - what does it mean?
A heart rate of 268 bpm is above the normal resting range for every age group under 10. In a calm child it needs prompt medical assessment; crying, fever and activity can push the pulse this high only briefly. A resting rate above 180 in an older child or above 220 in a baby, especially if it started suddenly, needs urgent care.
Normal resting heart rate by age
| Age | Normal at rest | 268 bpm is |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn (0–1 month) | 100–190 bpm* | above normal |
| Infant (1–11 months) | 80–160 bpm | above normal |
| Toddler (1–2 years) | 80–130 bpm | above normal |
| Preschool (3–4 years) | 80–120 bpm | above normal |
| Child (5–6 years) | 75–115 bpm | above normal |
| Child (7–9 years) | 70–110 bpm | above normal |
| 10 years and older (reference: adult range) | 60–100 bpm | above normal |
Ranges for an awake, calm child (NIH MedlinePlus). Asleep, a child's pulse can be 10–20 bpm lower; crying, play and fever push it higher — roughly 10 bpm more per 1 °C (2 °F) of fever. The verdict above counts the age groups up to 9 years; from 10 years the adult range applies (heart rate 268 in an adult).
* Newborns: MedlinePlus lists 70–190 bpm. We use 100 as the lower limit, because in a newborn a heart rate below 100 needs prompt medical assessment (newborn resuscitation guidance treats under 100 as bradycardia).
When a child's heart rate needs a doctor
- Call 911 (US) or your local emergency number if a baby or young child has a heart rate below 60 and seems unwell — pale, floppy, hard to wake or breathing poorly — or if a child faints during or right after exercise or has chest pain with exertion.
- Get urgent care for a resting heart rate above 220 in a baby or above 180 in an older child, especially if it starts and stops suddenly — this pattern suggests SVT rather than a normal fast pulse.
- Get a newborn checked promptly (first month of life) if the heart rate is below 100 when calm and awake.
- See your pediatrician if the resting pulse is repeatedly outside the range for the child's age, feels irregular, or comes with poor feeding, sweating while feeding, unusual tiredness, or fainting or chest pain that did not happen during exercise.
More detail: Fast, Slow or Irregular Heart Rate in a Child · How to Measure a Baby's Heart Rate · Why Infants Have a Faster Heart Rate Than Adults
Check another reading
Nearby values
Measured on a teenager or adult? See heart rate 268 in an adult.
Sources: MedlinePlus: Pulse · AHA 2020 guidelines, neonatal resuscitation · AHA 2020 guidelines, pediatric life support
This page explains a single reading in general terms. It is not a diagnosis. Heart rate alone cannot tell whether the rhythm is regular or whether the heart is healthy — if you are worried, talk to a doctor.