Reference

Paediatric vital-sign reference points

Values shift continuously as a child grows. Choose one of the six ages published in the current RCUK table to see its approximate heart rate and breathing range plus systolic blood pressure percentile references.

Age 5 years

RCUK 2025 table

Approximate heart-rate range: 70 to 140beats/min
Approximate breathing-rate range: 17 to 30breaths/min
Systolic BP p50 reference: 100mmHg
Systolic BP p10 reference: 80mmHg

All six source checkpoints

Approximate values from the RCUK 2025 table. Values change continuously between these ages.

Age	Approximate heart-rate range	Approximate breathing-rate range	Systolic BP p50 reference	Systolic BP p10 reference
1 month	110 to 180 beats/min	25 to 60 breaths/min	75 mmHg	55 mmHg
1 year	100 to 170 beats/min	20 to 50 breaths/min	95 mmHg	75 mmHg
2 years	90 to 160 beats/min	18 to 40 breaths/min	98 mmHg	77 mmHg
5 years	70 to 140 beats/min	17 to 30 breaths/min	100 mmHg	80 mmHg
10 years	60 to 120 beats/min	14 to 25 breaths/min	110 mmHg	85 mmHg
18 years	60 to 100 beats/min	12 to 20 breaths/min	120 mmHg	105 mmHg

Blood pressure values are percentile references for a child at the 50th height percentile, not action thresholds.

The source publishes checkpoints at these six ages because values change continuously as a child grows. Use an intermediate value between checkpoints, and never use this table alone to decide whether to escalate. Follow your local PEWS or observation chart, the trend, and clinical assessment.

Sources

Paediatric Life Support: approximate normal values, Table 1 Resuscitation Council UK, 2025Exact source checkpoints for respiratory rate, heart rate and blood pressure.

Last reviewed: 2026-07-17