You have taken the heart rate (pulse rate) of a child and got a value of 48 bpm (beats per minute). For a child with an age of 0-10 years the heart rate may vary between 80-130bpm to be considered normal.
The heart rate of a newborn or infant < 1 year however should not fall below 80bpm
= Your value (48bpm)
Normal Heart Rates for Infants and Toddlers
There is a broad range in heart rate considered to be within normal values. These are the values of a normal heart rate based on the infant's age.
- 0-3 months 100-150 beats per minute
- 3-6 months 90-120 beats per minute
- 6-12 months 80-120 beats per minute
- 1-10 years old 70-130 beats per minute
Changes in Heart Rate
Just like adults, the infant heart rates considered normal would change depending on what the infant is doing. The heart rate will increase with activity. Emotions can also affect the heart rate. Crying or startling can cause the heart to beat faster.
A consistently abnormal heart rate could indicate a health problem. If you notice a consistently abnormal resting heart rate, it is a good idea to discuss this with your pediatrician.
A Rapid Heart Rate
A heart rate that is too high is referred to as tachycardia. A fast heart rate could have one of several causes.
- Fever or infection
- Arrhythmia
- Atrial flutter
- Medications
A Slow Heart Rate
A pulse that falls below the normal range is called bradycardia. There are several potential causes of a slow infant heart rate.
- Low body temperature
- Low oxygen levels
- A congenital heart defect
- Medication side-effects