Paediatric Respiratory Assessment

What is this article about?

In order to recognise, manage and treat respiratory conditions in children effectively, we need to be able to confidently assess a child's respiratory rate, effort and efficacy. We need to know what’s normal before we can assess what is abnormal. Unlike adults, children breathe at different respirations per minute (rpm) according to age. It’s not uncommon for a newborn to have a respiratory rate of 60, whereas a 12-year-old can comfortably have a respiratory rate of 18 rpm. Breathing at any age should be effortless and soundless. The following table details the normal respiratory rate and heart rate for different.