CLINICAL INTERPRATATION OF NORMAL VITAL SIGNS IN CHILDREN

These values represent a range of normal vital signs in children. The values shown are guidelines only. In the emergency department the values obtained are frequently abnormal even in the absence of disease, e.g. the crying, or upset child may have an elevated pulse, blood pressure, and respiratory rate. If there is clinical concern the measurements should be repeated when the child calms down. A blood pressure measurement alone is a poor indicator of perfusion status. It should be analyzed in context with pulse rate and quality, capillary refill, and mental status. The values in this table for the Purple thru Green zones are derived from the PALS formula for the 5th percentile (70 + 2 times age in years). For the 3, 4, 5 kg thru Red zones (also from PALS) hypotension, systolic blood pressure below the 5th percentile is less than 60 in term neonates, and less than 70 for infants 1 through 12 months. These are normal ranges of respiratory rates for spontaneously breathing children. Respiratory rates for initiation of mechanical ventilation are presented in the emergency chart.