Vital Signs

What Are Vital Signs?

Vital signs are measurements of the body’s most basic functions. They are essential indicators of a person's overall health and help detect or monitor medical problems.

There are four primary vital signs:

1. Body Temperature
2. Pulse (Heart Rate)
3. Respiratory Rate
4. Blood Pressure

Some professionals also include:

• Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)
• Pain Level (considered the "fifth" vital sign in some settings)

 

1. Body Temperature

• Normal Range: 36.1°C to 37.2°C (97°F to 99°F)
• Purpose: Indicates the balance between heat produced and lost by the body.
• Methods of Measurement: Oral, rectal, axillary (armpit), tympanic (ear), forehead (temporal artery).
• Significance:
• Fever (pyrexia) may indicate infection.
• Hypothermia means the body is too cold (<35°C or 95°F).
• Hyperthermia or heat stroke occurs if body temperature is too high (>40°C or 104°F).

 

2. Pulse (Heart Rate)

• Normal Range for Adults: 60–100 beats per minute (bpm)
• Common Pulse Points: Radial (wrist), carotid (neck), brachial (arm), femoral (groin), etc.
• Significance:
• Tachycardia: Fast heart rate (>100 bpm)
• Bradycardia: Slow heart rate (<60 bpm)
• Changes may indicate heart problems, anxiety, dehydration, fever, or pain.

 

3. Respiratory Rate

• Normal Range for Adults: 12–20 breaths per minute
• Observation: Count the number of breaths in 60 seconds.
• Significance:
• Tachypnea: Fast breathing (>20)
• Bradypnea: Slow breathing (<12)
• Apnea: No breathing
• Abnormal breathing rates may signal respiratory or metabolic issues.

 

4. Blood Pressure

• Normal Range: Around 120/80 mmHg
• Systolic (top number): Pressure during heartbeats
• Diastolic (bottom number): Pressure between beats
• Significance:
• Hypertension: High blood pressure (e.g., >140/90 mmHg)
• Hypotension: Low blood pressure (e.g., <90/60 mmHg)
• Important for detecting cardiovascular health.

 

Optional Vital Signs

5. Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)

• Normal Range: 95%–100%
• Measured with a pulse oximeter (non-invasive device).
• Low SpO₂ (<90%) can indicate respiratory issues or oxygen deficiency.

6. Pain (Subjective Vital Sign)

• Rated using scales (e.g., 0 to 10 or faces scale).
• Helps evaluate the patient’s level of discomfort or need for treatment.

 

 Why Are Vital Signs Important?

• Detect early signs of illness or deterioration.
• Monitor chronic conditions (e.g., hypertension, asthma).
• Guide treatment decisions in emergencies and routine care.
• Used in all clinical settings: hospitals, clinics, ambulances, and even at home.

 

Summary Table:

Vital Sign	Normal Range	Main Tool
Body Temperature	36.1°C – 37.2°C	Thermometer
Pulse Rate	60 – 100 bpm	Manual or electronic check
Respiratory Rate	12 – 20 breaths/min	Visual or stethoscope
Blood Pressure	~120/80 mmHg	Sphygmomanometer
Oxygen Saturation	95% – 100%	Pulse oximeter
Pain (optional)	Scale 0–10 (subjective)	Pain rating scale

 

Vital Signs in Children

 

What Are the Main Vital Signs in Children?

1. Body Temperature
2. Heart Rate (Pulse)
3. Respiratory Rate
4. Blood Pressure
5. (Optional) Oxygen Saturation
6. (Optional) Pain Level

 

1️⃣ Body Temperature

• Normal Range: 36.5°C – 37.5°C (97.7°F – 99.5°F)
• How Measured: Oral, rectal (most accurate for infants), axillary (underarm), ear, or forehead.
• Important Notes:
• Fever = ≥38°C (100.4°F)
• Low temperature (hypothermia) = <35°C (95°F)
• Why it matters: A fever may indicate infection or illness.

 

2️⃣ Heart Rate (Pulse)

The heart rate is faster in younger children because their bodies are growing and need more oxygen.

Age Group	Normal Heart Rate (Resting)
Newborn (0–1 month)	100 – 160 bpm
Infant (1–12 months)	90 – 160 bpm
Toddler (1–2 years)	80 – 140 bpm
Preschool (3–5 years)	80 – 120 bpm
School-age (6–12 yrs)	70 – 110 bpm
Teen (13+ years)	60 – 100 bpm

• How Measured: With a stethoscope or by feeling the pulse (e.g., wrist or chest).
• Too fast = "Tachycardia"
• Too slow = "Bradycardia"

 

3️⃣ Respiratory Rate (Breathing)

Children breathe faster than adults, especially infants.

 

Age Group	Normal Respiratory Rate
Newborn (0–1 month)	30 – 60 breaths/min
Infant (1–12 months)	30 – 50
Toddler (1–2 years)	25 – 40
Preschool (3–5 years)	20 – 30
School-age (6–12 yrs)	18 – 25
Teen (13+ years)	12 – 20

• How Measured: Watch the chest rise and fall for 60 seconds.
• Warning signs: Fast, shallow, labored breathing; grunting; nasal flaring.

 

4️⃣ Blood Pressure (BP)

Blood pressure in children is lower than in adults and increases with age.

Age Group	Normal BP Range (approx.)
Newborn	60–90 systole / 30–60 diastole mmHg
Infant (1–12 months)	70–100 systole / 50–65 diastole mmHg
Toddler (1–2 years)	80–100 systole / 50–70 diastole mmHg
Preschool (3–5 years)	80–110 systole diastole / 50–80 mmHg
School-age (6–12 yrs)	90–120 systole / 60–80 diastole mmHg
Teen (13+ years)	~110–130 systole / 65–85 diastole mmHg

• How Measured: With a pediatric BP cuff on the upper arm.
• Too low = Hypotension
• Too high = Hypertension

 

5️⃣ Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂)

• Normal: 95% – 100%
• Measured with: A pulse oximeter placed on the finger or toe.
• Low oxygen (<92%) may signal breathing problems or infection.

 

6️⃣ Pain Level (Subjective Vital Sign)

• Children are often asked to rate pain using:
• Faces pain scale (for young children)
• 0–10 numeric scale (for older children)
• Helps guide treatment and assess comfort.

 

 Why Are Vital Signs Different in Children?

• Children have higher metabolic rates, so their hearts and lungs work faster.
• Their nervous and circulatory systems are still developing.
• Normal ranges change with age, so it’s important to know what’s appropriate for each stage.

 When to Seek Help!

Watch for:

• Fever in infants <3 months
• Breathing difficulty or noisy breathing
• Fast or very slow heart rate
• Lethargy or unresponsiveness
• Pale, blue, or cold skin
• Oxygen saturation <92%

 

📋 Summary Chart

Vital Sign	Newborn	Infant (1–12m)	Toddler (1–2y)	Child (3–12y)	Teen (13+)
Temp (°C)	36.5–37.5	36.5–37.5	36.5–37.5	36.5–37.5	36.5–37.5
Heart Rate (bpm)	100–160	90–160	80–140	70–110	60–100
Resp. Rate (breaths)	30–60	30–50	25–40	18–25	12–20
BP (mmHg)	60–90 / 30–60	70–100 / 50–65	80–100 / 50–70	90–120 / 60–80	110–130 / 65–85
SpO₂ (%)	95–100	95–100	95–100	95–100	95–100