What is the normal heart rate range for a child aged 6 months to 3 years?

• A. 90-160
• B. 70-120
• C. 60-100
• D. 100-140

Answer: (A)

Normal pediatric heart rate depends on age, with younger children running higher and showing more variability with activity, fever, or distress. For a child from 6 months to 3 years, a resting heart rate roughly in the range of 90 to 160 beats per minute captures typical values across this entire age span. This broad range accommodates the higher rates seen in younger children and the slower rates that can occur with sleep or calmness. Narrower ranges miss the normal variability in this group, especially at the upper end during activity or fever. If the rate is outside this broad range, consider factors like fever, dehydration, pain, hypoxia, or perfusion status as part of the assessment.