Pediatric Cardiac Normal Values
Quick reference for age-based normal values in pediatric cardiology.
Vital Signs by Age
Heart Rate (beats/min)
| Age |
Awake |
Sleeping |
| Newborn |
100-180 |
80-160 |
| 1-3 months |
100-180 |
80-160 |
| 3-6 months |
90-120 |
70-120 |
| 6-12 months |
80-120 |
70-120 |
| 1-3 years |
70-110 |
60-100 |
| 3-6 years |
65-110 |
60-100 |
| 6-12 years |
60-95 |
55-90 |
| 12+ years |
55-85 |
50-80 |
Respiratory Rate (breaths/min)
| Age |
Normal Range |
| Newborn |
30-60 |
| Infant |
30-50 |
| 1-3 years |
24-40 |
| 3-6 years |
22-34 |
| 6-12 years |
18-30 |
| 12+ years |
12-20 |
Blood Pressure (mmHg)
Normal: <90th percentile for age/height/sex
| Age |
Systolic (50th %ile) |
Diastolic (50th %ile) |
| Newborn |
65-85 |
35-55 |
| 1 year |
80-100 |
45-65 |
| 6 years |
90-105 |
55-70 |
| 12 years |
100-120 |
60-75 |
| ≥13 years |
Use adult criteria (<120/80 normal) |
|
Oxygen Saturation Targets
| Condition |
Target SpO2 |
| Normal |
≥95% |
| CCHD screening pass |
≥95% both extremities |
| Single ventricle pre-Glenn |
75-85% |
| Fontan |
92-98% |
| Eisenmenger |
Patient's baseline (often 75-90%) |
| BPD on supplemental O2 |
Per clinical guidelines |
ECG Parameters by Age
PR Interval (seconds)
| Age |
Normal Range |
Upper Limit |
| <1 year |
0.08-0.14 |
0.16 |
| 1-3 years |
0.08-0.14 |
0.16 |
| 3-6 years |
0.09-0.16 |
0.17 |
| 6-12 years |
0.09-0.17 |
0.18 |
| 12+ years |
0.10-0.18 |
0.20 |
QRS Duration (seconds)
| Age |
Upper Limit |
| <1 year |
0.08 |
| 1-3 years |
0.08 |
| 3-6 years |
0.09 |
| 6-12 years |
0.10 |
| 12+ years |
0.10 |
QTc Interval
| Status |
QTc (Bazett) |
| Normal |
<450 ms |
| Borderline |
450-470 ms |
| Prolonged |
>470 ms |
| Definite LQTS |
≥480 ms (or ≥460 ms with syncope) |
| Short QT |
<340 ms |
Mean Frontal Axis
| Age |
Normal Range |
| Newborn |
+60° to +180° (RAD normal) |
| 1-4 weeks |
+60° to +160° |
| 1-3 months |
+30° to +110° |
| 3-12 months |
+10° to +110° |
| 1-3 years |
+10° to +100° |
| >3 years |
0° to +90° |
Echocardiographic Measurements
Use Z-Scores!
Always convert measurements to Z-scores for body size
Z-Score Interpretation:
| Z-Score | Interpretation |
|---------|----------------|
| -2 to +2 | Normal |
| +2 to +2.5 | Mildly dilated |
| +2.5 to +5 | Moderately dilated |
| >5 | Severely dilated |
Coronary Artery Z-Scores (PHN)
- Normal: <2.0
- Dilation: 2.0 to <2.5
- Small aneurysm: 2.5 to <5.0
- Medium aneurysm: 5.0 to <10.0
- Giant aneurysm: ≥10.0 or absolute ≥8mm
LV Function
| Parameter |
Normal |
| Shortening Fraction |
28-44% |
| Ejection Fraction |
55-70% |
| LV mass Z-score |
<+2 |
RV Function
| Parameter |
Method |
Normal |
| TAPSE |
M-mode |
Age-dependent (>16mm older children) |
| FAC |
2D |
>35% |
| S' velocity |
TDI |
>10 cm/s |
Hemodynamic Values
Normal Pressures (mmHg)
| Chamber |
Systolic |
Diastolic |
Mean |
| RA |
- |
- |
1-7 |
| RV |
15-30 |
1-7 |
- |
| PA |
15-30 |
5-15 |
10-20 |
| PCWP/LA |
- |
- |
4-12 |
| LV |
90-120 |
5-12 |
- |
| Aorta |
90-120 |
60-80 |
70-95 |
Pulmonary Hypertension Definition
- mPAP >20-25 mmHg (age-dependent)
- PVR >3 WU·m² (indexed)
Cardiac Output
- Normal CI: 2.5-4.5 L/min/m²
Pediatric Lipid Values (mg/dL)
| Lipid |
Acceptable |
Borderline |
High |
| Total Cholesterol |
<170 |
170-199 |
≥200 |
| LDL-C |
<110 |
110-129 |
≥130 |
| Non-HDL-C |
<120 |
120-144 |
≥145 |
| HDL-C |
>45 |
40-45 |
<40 (low) |
| TG (0-9 years) |
<75 |
75-99 |
≥100 |
| TG (10-19 years) |
<90 |
90-129 |
≥130 |
BNP/NT-proBNP
Highly age and assay-dependent
General guidance (varies by lab):
| Value | Interpretation |
|-------|----------------|
| BNP <100 pg/mL | Usually normal |
| BNP 100-400 pg/mL | Possible HF |
| BNP >400 pg/mL | Likely HF |
- Neonates have higher baseline
- Serial trending more useful than single values
Online Resources
Values are approximations; always verify with age-appropriate references
Use Z-scores for any measurement that varies with body size