Age-specific normal vital signs and physiological ranges

Quote the source before you argue a cut-off. ^{[1] [2] [7]}

Overview & Definition

Vital signs are bedside numbers that estimate cardiorespiratory and thermal status. In paediatrics the same label — “tachycardia” — means different absolute rates at two months and twelve years. Fellowship practice means you can measure, age-adjust, interpret, and act without inventing a private table. ^[1]

References10ShowHide

1. [1]Fleming S Normal ranges of heart rate and respiratory rate in children from birth to 18 years of age: a systematic review of observational studies Lancet, 2011.PMID 21411136
2. [2]Bonafide CP Development of heart and respiratory rate percentile curves for hospitalized children Pediatrics, 2013.PMID 23478871
3. [3]Daymont C Heart rates in hospitalized children by age and body temperature Pediatrics, 2015.PMID 25917984
4. [4]Fleming S Validity and reliability of measurement of capillary refill time in children: a systematic review Arch Dis Child, 2015.PMID 25260515
5. [5]Fleming S The Diagnostic Value of Capillary Refill Time for Detecting Serious Illness in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis PLoS One, 2015.PMID 26375953
6. [6]Mills E Association between caregiver concern for clinical deterioration and critical illness in children presenting to hospital: a prospective cohort study Lancet Child Adolesc Health, 2025.PMID 40451224
7. [7]Trubey R Validity and effectiveness of paediatric early warning systems and track and trigger tools for identifying and reducing clinical deterioration in hospitalised children: a systematic review BMJ Open, 2019.PMID 31061010
8. [8]Parshuram CS Effect of a Pediatric Early Warning System on All-Cause Mortality in Hospitalized Pediatric Patients: The EPOCH Randomized Clinical Trial JAMA, 2018.PMID 29486493
9. [9]Sharma M Racial and skin color mediated disparities in pulse oximetry in infants and young children Paediatr Respir Rev, 2024.PMID 38233229
10. [10]Starmer AJ Changes in medical errors after implementation of a handoff program N Engl J Med, 2014.PMID 25372088