The heart rate, or heart rate, directly reflects how the cardiovascular system functions. That is why children's doctors are sure to check the baby’s pulse at the reception. However, parents also need to know what a child’s heart rate is and how to correctly calculate the heart rate.
Heart rate indicators in children
The heart rate is a variable indicator that depends on a number of signs: the state of health at the time of measurement, the temperature in the room, physical activity and, importantly, the moral state of the baby. Changes in heart rate help healthy heart function, so that the human body quickly adapts to the external environment.
With age, heart rate changes. For example, the heart of a newborn baby is reduced much faster, unlike an adult. This is due to the frequency of respiratory movements (briefly NPV). A recently born baby, on average, produces about 40-60 breaths and exits in one minute, unlike an adult, whose NPV is limited to 25. However, by the age of 15 years, the heart rate in a child is almost the same as that of an adult. Therefore, when measuring the number of heart contractions in a child, it is incorrect to focus on one's own indicators.
So, what is the norm of heart rate in children? The table below shows the limit of norm according to age.
The norm of heart rate in a child| Age | The limit of norm (beats) |
Newborn (0-3 months) | 100 - 150 |
| Baby 3-6 months | 90 - 120 |
| Child 6 - 12 months | 80 - 120 |
| Child from 1 to 10 years old | 70 - 130 |
| Over 10 years old | 60 - 100 |
We measure the heart rate correctly!
Measuring heart rate in a child is easy enough. To do this, you need a stopwatch or any other device that allows you to count seconds. Find the pulse in the child. To do this, on the neck, back of the foot, temple or wrist, feel the artery and gently press it with the thumb and forefinger connected together. After you feel the rhythmic pulsation, start counting beats for 15 seconds. The number you get, multiply by four. The final figure is an indicator of your child’s heart rate .
Remember that a child’s pulse is measured only at rest! If your baby has just played active games or is very frustrated with something, then heart rate results will not be informative. You should also not forcibly measure the pulse, it is better to wait until the baby calms down and allows you to take measurements.
Increased heart rate
The norm of heart rate in a child, given in the table above, is your main guideline. If your baby has a high heart rate, then this is not a reason to panic. Perhaps hot weather, a surge of emotions (fear, hysteria, fear, delight) or an active game provoked an acceleration of the heartbeat. Therefore, wait until your child is completely calm, and again measure the pulse. If the heart rate is also increased, then do not postpone the visit to the pediatric cardiologist. Tachycardia, in other words, an increase in heart rate, can be a harbinger of pathological processes in the heart or endocrine system.
Slow heartbeat
If the heart rate in a child at rest is below normal, then this indicates the presence of bradycardia. In some cases, a slow heart rate may be considered normal. So, for example, the heart of athletes or people leading an active lifestyle makes about 35 contractions per minute. In this case, bradycardia indicates a good training of the body, as well as the strength of the heart muscle. If the child is far from active physical activity, while experiencing fatigue, drowsiness or headaches during bradycardia, then a visit to the doctor is required.
The norm of the heart rate in a child. Definition and Concept
Finally, let's talk a little about the concept of the norm. What is the norm of heart rate in a child?
First of all, the norm is an average indicator. That is, they took several thousand clinically healthy children and measured their heart rate. Then they deduced the average indicators and agreed that they would take them for the norm. However, each human body is unique, in this regard, minor deviations from the norm are allowed. Therefore, if your child has no deviations in the cardiovascular system, blood pressure parameters are within the relative norm, while the child is active and feeling good, then a deviation from the average heart rate of 20% is allowed and is not considered a violation.
We hope you find this article helpful. Now you not only know everything about the heart rate, but you can measure your heart rate yourself. Keep track of your baby’s health and instill a healthy lifestyle from a very young age.