The heart rate, or pulse, is the number of heartbeats that happen per minute. Children, in general, have a faster resting heart rate than adults as heart rate is inversely related to a person's size. Normal heart rate is dependent upon health, athletic training and the age of the child.
How to Measure Heart Rate
An easy method to determine heart rate is to find an area where an artery passes close to the skin, such as at the carotid artery in the neck or in the radial artery at the underside of the wrist. Place the index and middle finger on the blood vessel, and once a pulse is felt, count the beats for one minute. For resting heart rate, the child should be inactive for at least ten minutes before measuring.
Normal Resting Heart Rate for Children
Newborn infants have the fastest heart rate, between 130 and 160 beats per minute. This usually slows down as the child gets older to about 100 beats per minute in babies six months old. Children from one to ten years have a normal resting heart rate between 70 and 120 beats per minute. Children over ten have a similar heart rate to adults, at 60 to 100 beats per minute.
Exercise Heart Rate Ranges
Children have a target heart rate range for exercise, just as adults do. For children under age 11, the normal exercising heart rate is between 130 and 140 beats per minute. For older children, the rate is slightly lower, at about 115 beats per minute.
Reasons for Fast Resting Pulse
A fast heart rate is also known as tachycardia. It occurs due an increase in physical activity, but it can also occur with certain medical conditions. A fast heartbeat may indicate infection, anemia, fear or anxiety or dehydration. Children may also experience an increase in heart rate during normal breathing patterns, such as during inspiration of air. Children with breathing difficulties, such as those with asthma, may also have a faster heart rate.
Reasons for a Slow Resting Pulse
A slow heart rate is called bradycardia. Heartbeats slow down during inactivity, such as relaxing and sleeping. Abnormal bradycardia is less common in children than adults, but it has been linked with conditions, such as cardiomyopathy and blockage of the AV node, both of which can lead to sudden cardiac death.
Irregular Heart Rates
Irregular heart rythyms are called arrhythmias or dysrhythmias. Premature ventricular contractions, or a skipped beat, are common in infants and children but not usually cause for alarm. Most cases of arrhythmia have no symptoms and are found on a routine medical exam. Some medications can also cause an irregular heartbeat.
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