Why do children have higher heart rates than adults?

Children have higher metabolic rates and smaller stroke volumes, requiring higher heart rates to maintain adequate cardiac output. Heart rate progressively decreases as the heart grows and stroke volume increases.

What is tachycardia in a 2-year-old?

In a 2-year-old (normal range 80-130 bpm), tachycardia is defined as heart rate persistently above 130 bpm at rest. Causes include fever, dehydration, pain, anemia, and cardiac arrhythmias.

What is sinus arrhythmia in children?

Sinus arrhythmia is a normal variation in children where heart rate increases with inspiration and decreases with expiration. It is a benign finding related to vagal tone and does not require treatment.

Pediatric Heart Rate Norms by Age

Reference normal heart rate ranges by age: newborn 100-160, 1-12mo 80-140, 1-3yr 80-130, 3-5yr 80-120, 6-10yr 70-110, 11-14yr 60-100 bpm.

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Pediatric RR Norms

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Pediatric Heart Rate Norms by Age

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do children have higher heart rates than adults?

What is tachycardia in a 2-year-old?

What is sinus arrhythmia in children?