Reference use only
Ranges below summarize published clinical references (cited at the bottom of this
page). They describe population norms, not an individual patient's target. Interpret
alongside clinical context and confirm against current institutional protocol.
Adult vital signs
Ages > 15 years, resting, afebrile.
| Vital sign | Normal range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heart rate | 60–100 bpm | Bradycardia < 60 · Tachycardia > 100 |
| Respiratory rate | 12–20 /min | Bradypnea < 12 · Tachypnea > 20 |
| Temperature (oral) | 36.1–37.2 °C (97–99 °F) | See method-specific table below |
| SpO₂ | 95–100 % | < 92 % warrants evaluation |
Blood pressure categories — 2017 ACC/AHA
| Category | Systolic (mmHg) | Diastolic (mmHg) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | < 120 | and | < 80 |
| Elevated | 120–129 | and | < 80 |
| Stage 1 hypertension | 130–139 | or | 80–89 |
| Stage 2 hypertension | ≥ 140 | or | ≥ 90 |
| Hypertensive crisis | > 180 | and/or | > 120 |
Hypertensive crisis
A reading above 180/120 mmHg requires immediate re-check; if confirmed and
accompanied by symptoms (chest pain, dyspnea, back pain, numbness, vision
change), it is an emergency.
Pediatric heart rate by age
Reference: PALS Guidelines, 2015.
| Age group | Awake (bpm) | Asleep (bpm) |
|---|---|---|
| Neonate (< 28 days) | 100–205 | 90–160 |
| Infant (1 mo – 1 y) | 100–190 | 90–160 |
| Toddler (1–2 y) | 98–140 | 80–120 |
| Preschool (3–5 y) | 80–120 | 65–100 |
| School-age (6–11 y) | 75–118 | 58–90 |
| Adolescent (12–15 y) | 60–100 | 50–90 |
| > 15 y (adult) | 60–100 | — |
Pediatric respiratory rate by age
Reference: PALS Guidelines, 2015.
| Age group | Breaths / min |
|---|---|
| Infant (< 1 y) | 30–53 |
| Toddler (1–2 y) | 22–37 |
| Preschool (3–5 y) | 20–28 |
| School-age (6–11 y) | 18–25 |
| Adolescent (12–15 y) | 12–20 |
| > 15 y (adult) | 12–20 |
Pediatric blood pressure by age
Reference: PALS Guidelines, 2015. For hypertension diagnosis, refer to 2017 AAP pediatric guidelines.
| Age group | Systolic (mmHg) | Diastolic (mmHg) | Hypotension threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (1–12 mo) | 72–104 | 37–56 | < 70 |
| Toddler (1–2 y) | 86–106 | 42–63 | < 70 + (2 × age in years) |
| Preschool (3–5 y) | 89–112 | 46–72 | < 70 + (2 × age in years) |
| School-age (6–9 y) | 97–115 | 57–76 | < 70 + (2 × age in years) |
| Preadolescent (10–11 y) | 102–120 | 61–80 | < 90 |
| Adolescent (12–15 y) | 110–131 | 64–83 | < 90 |
| > 15 y (adult) | 90–120 | 50–80 | — |
Hypotension in a child is a late, ominous finding — compensatory mechanisms
(tachycardia, vasoconstriction) usually maintain blood pressure until shock is
well advanced.
Neonatal blood pressure (first hours of life)
| Age / weight | Systolic (mmHg) | Diastolic (mmHg) | Hypotension threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth (12 h), < 1 kg | 39–59 | 16–36 | < 40–50 |
| Birth (12 h), 3 kg | 60–76 | 31–45 | < 50 |
| Neonate (96 h) | 67–84 | 35–53 | < 60 |
Temperature by measurement method
Reference: Canadian Paediatric Society, 2015. Ranges do not vary meaningfully with age beyond infancy.
| Method | Normal range (°C) | Normal range (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| Rectal | 36.6–38.0 | 97.9–100.4 |
| Tympanic (ear) | 35.8–38.0 | 96.4–100.4 |
| Oral | 35.5–37.5 | 95.9–99.5 |
| Axillary | 36.5–37.5 | 97.7–99.5 |
Screening methods (axillary, temporal, tympanic) trade accuracy for ease of use.
Rectal and oral routes track core temperature most closely. A rectal reading
≥ 38.0 °C (100.4 °F) is the standard definition of fever.
Oxygen saturation (SpO₂)
| Population | Normal range |
|---|---|
| Adult / child (beyond immediate newborn period) | 95–100 % |
| Newborn, first minutes of life | Lower values expected; rises over ~10 minutes |
SpO₂ below 90–92 % beyond the immediate newborn period may suggest a
respiratory condition or cyanotic congenital heart disease and warrants
evaluation.
Sources
- American Heart Association. Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Provider Manual, 2015.
- Canadian Paediatric Society. Position Statement on Temperature Measurement in Pediatrics, 2015.
- Whelan JS, Kim E. Pediatric Vital Signs Reference Chart. PedsCases.com, developed with Dr. Chris Novak & Dr. Peter Gill, 2016 (edited 2020).
- Whelton PK, et al. 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults. Hypertension, 2018.