What is the respiratory rate range for infants?

• A. 12-20 breaths per minute.
• B. 18-30 breaths per minute.
• C. 30-60 breaths per minute.
• D. 60-90 breaths per minute.

Answer: (C)

Infants breathe faster at rest than older children and adults because their airways are smaller and their metabolic rate is higher. A normal resting respiratory rate for an infant is about 30 to 60 breaths per minute. This range reflects typical physiology in the first year of life. Rates above about 60 often indicate tachypnea and can signal respiratory distress or fever, while rates much lower than 30 are unusual for a waking infant and may occur during sleep but are not considered a normal daytime resting rate.

When measuring, count for a full minute with the infant quiet and not crying, and observe for overall breathing effort (nasal flaring, chest retractions). As children grow, the normal rate drops toward the adult range of about 12-20 breaths per minute by adolescence.