What is the respiratory rate range for children?

• A. 12-20 breaths per minute.
• B. 30-60 breaths per minute.
• C. 18-30 breaths per minute.
• D. 8-16 breaths per minute.

Answer: (C)

Normal pediatric breathing rate varies by age, and for school-aged children a typical resting range is about 18-30 breaths per minute. This higher rate compared with adults reflects children’s greater metabolic needs and different airway mechanics. Rates outside this range can indicate distress or other clinical factors, but family members and clinicians rely on knowing what’s normal for the child’s age. The other ranges correspond to different ages (adults around 12-20; infants can be 30-60; an 8-16 rate would be unusually low for a resting child).