This document provides pediatric vital sign reference ranges for different age groups. It includes normal body temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, and blood pressure ranges. Lower age groups have higher metabolic rates, resulting in slightly elevated temperatures compared to older children. Formulas and general rules are also outlined to estimate vital signs based on age. Rapid assessment of vital signs can help identify potential medical issues in children like decreased blood pressure, abnormal breathing patterns, or altered mental status. Reference ranges vary by age from newborns to adolescents.

1. Pediatric Vital Signs
Aka: Vital Signs in Children
Normal Body Temp
1 year old oral – 99.7°F or 37.6ºC
3 year old oral – 99.0°F or 37.2ºC
5 year old oral – 98.6°F or 37ºC
Trivia: Why are low er age groups hotter?
Answer: Lower age groups have higher metabolic rates.
Normal Pulse
Age —- Normal —- Average
New born: 100-170 — 140
1 year: 80-170 — 120
3 year: 80-130 — 110
6 year: 75-120 — 100
10 Year: 70-110 — 90
14 Year: 60-110 — 90
Resting Respiration
Age —- Normal —- Average
New born: 30-50 — 40
1 year: 20-40 — 30
3 Year: 20-30 — 25
6 Year: 16-22 — 19
14 Year: 14-20 — 17
Blood Pressure
Age —- Systolic —- Diastolic —- Average
New born: 65-95 — 30-60 — 80-60
Infant: 65-115 — 42-80 — 90-61
3 Year: 76-122 — 46-84 — 99-65
6 Year: 85-115 — 48-64 — 100-56
10 Year: 93-125 — 46-68 — 109-58
14 Year: 99-137 — 51-71 — 118/61
I. Approach: Formulas and General Rules (Children over 1 year old)
A. Formulas (Systolic Blood Pressure)
1. Median SBP = 90 mmHg + (2 x Age in years)
2. Minimum SBP = 70 mmHg + (2 x Age in years)
B. Rough Approximations
1. Pulse or Heart Rate (HR)
a. Infant Pulse: 160
b. Preschool Pulse: 120
c. Adolescent Pulse: 100
Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP)
. Infant SBP: 80
a. Preschool SBP: 90
b. Adolescent SBP: 100
Respiratory Rate (RR)
. Infant RR: 40
a. Preschool RR: 30
b. Adolescent RR: 20
II. Indications: Rapid cardiopulmonary assessment
(e.g. Pediatric Assessment Triangle)

2. . Systolic Blood Pressure is observed to drop 10 mm Hg
A. Respiratory Rate >60
B. Heart Rate outside ranges shown below
C. Increased work of breathing
Retractions
Nasal Flaring
Grunting
D. Cyanosis or decreased Oxygen Saturation
E. Altered LOC (irritability, lethargy)
F. Seizures
G. Fever with Petechiae
H. Trauma
I. Burns >10% of body surface area
III. Evaluation: Age associated Vitals
. Term Newborn (3 kg)
Blood Pressure:
. Age 12 hours: 50-70 / 25-45
a. Age 96 hours: 60-90 / 20-60
b. Age 7 days: 74 +/- 22 mmHg (Systolic BP)
c. Age 42 days: 96 +/- 20 mmHg (Systolic BP)
Pulse: 80-200
Respiratory Rate: 40-60
A. Infant (6 months old)
Blood Pressure: 87-105 / 53-66
Pulse: 80-180
B. Toddler (2 years old)
Blood Pressure: 95-105/53-66
Pulse: 80-180
Respiratory Rate = 24
C. School age (7 years old)
Blood Pressure: 97-112 / 57-71
Pulse: 60-160
D. Adolescent (15 years old)
Blood Pressure: 112-128 / 66-80
Pulse: 60-160
Respiratory Rate = 12
V A C C I N E T A R G E T D O S A G E I N T E R V A L
R O U T E S I T E
1.
BCG
Anytimeat BirthSchoolEntrance0.05ml0.1mlOnce Intradermal(ID)
Assess forWheal formation
RightDeltoidLeftDeltoid2.
Hepa B
Anytimeat Birth0.5ml
6 wks.Intervalfrom 1
st

3. dose to 2
nd
dose, then8 weeksintervalFrom 2
nd
to3
rd
dose
Intramuscular(IM)UpperouterPortionof thethigh3.
DPT
6 wks.Up to 11mos.0 . 5 m l 4 w e e k s x 3
dosesIntramuscular(IM)Upperouterportionof thethigh4.
OPV
6 wks.Up to 11mos.2 d r o p s 4 w e e k s x 3 dosesOral
(Child must bePO for 30 mins.)
Mouth
(side of thecheek)
5.
Measles
9months(if epidemiccrisis,
6mos.)0 . 5 m l O n c e S u b c u t a n e
o u s(SQ)OuterPart of theupperarm
Side Effects of BCG:
1.Fever and Ras hes – for ras hes mother mjay giveANTIHISTAMINES (Benadryl) and for itchiness
(Calamine Lotion).
Side effects for OPV:
NONE: But be aware of possible risk for aspiration once wrong site isused. Make sure also that the baby was NPO
30 mins. prioradministration, for him not to vomit once drops were administered. TETANUS TOXIOD
IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN
V A C C I N E S C H E D U L E % O F PR
OTECTIONDURATIONOFPROTECTIONROUTE ANDSITE
T T 1 A s e a r l y a
s possible duringpregnancy
Not yetprotected
none
IM , (Deltoid)
TT2
At least 4 weekslater
80%
Infant born frommother will beprotected fromneonataltetanus.Gives
3 years
protection forthe mother
IM , (Deltoid)
TT3
At least 6months later
95%
Infant born frommother will beprotected fromneonataltetanus.Gives
5 years
protection forthe mother
IM , (Deltoid)
TT4
At least 1 yearlater

4. 99%
Infant born frommother will beprotected fromneonataltetanus.Gives
10 years
IM , (Deltoid)