Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Impedance Pneumography for Minimally Invasive Measurement of Heart Rate in Late Stage Invertebrates
Published on: April 4, 2020
Deriving temperature and age appropriate heart rate centiles for children with acute infections
M Thompson1, A Harnden, R Perera
1Department of Primary Health Care, Oxford University, Oxford, UK. matthew.thompson@dphpc.ox.ac.uk
Insights
This study establishes reference heart rate ranges for children aged 3 months to 10 years with common infections. These findings aid clinicians in assessing children
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Clinical Medicine
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Accurate assessment of pediatric vital signs is crucial for diagnosing infections.
- Existing heart rate reference ranges may not adequately account for fever in children presenting to primary care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish age-specific reference ranges for heart rate in children (3 months-10 years) with self-limiting infections.
- To develop centile charts correlating heart rate with temperature for pediatric primary care.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 1589 children presenting with acute infections in English primary care settings.
- Heart rate and axillary temperature were measured using pulse oximetry and electronic thermometers, respectively.
- Centile charts (median, 75th, 90th, 97th) for heart rate at different temperature levels were calculated.
Main Results:
- Heart rate demonstrated a positive correlation with temperature, increasing by 9.9-14.1 bpm per 1°C rise.
- Graphical centile charts illustrating expected heart rates across various temperatures were generated.
- The study provides detailed data on the 50th, 75th, 90th, and 97th heart rate centiles relative to temperature.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians should utilize age-specific centile charts for heart rate and temperature in assessing children with acute infections.
- These charts can help identify children with elevated heart rates relative to their temperature, aiding in reassessment.
- Further research is recommended to determine the predictive value of these charts for optimizing diagnostic utility.
Objectives:
To describe the reference range for heart rate in children aged 3 months-10 years presenting to primary care with self-limiting infections.
Design:
Cross-sectional study of children presenting to primary care with suspected acute infection. Heart rate was measured using a pulse oximeter and axillary temperature using an electronic thermometer. Centile charts of heart rates expected at given temperatures for children with self-limiting infections were calculated.
Setting:
Ten general practice surgeries and two out-of-hours centres in England.
Participants:
1933 children presenting with suspected acute infections were recruited from in-hours general practice surgeries (1050 or 54.3%) or out-of-hours centres (883 or 45.7%). After excluding children who subsequently attended hospital and those without a final diagnosis of acute infection, 1589 children were used to create the centile charts of whom (859 or 54.1%) had upper respiratory tract infections and (215 or 13.5%) non-specific viral illness.
Main Outcome Measures:
Median, 75th, 90th and 97th centiles of heart rate at each temperature level.
Results:
Heart rate increased by 9.9-14.1 bpm with each 1 degrees C increment in temperature. The 50th, 75th, 90th and 97th centiles of heart rate at each temperature level are presented graphically.
Conclusions:
Age-specific centile charts of heart rates expected at different temperatures should be used by clinicians in the initial assessment of children with acute infections. The charts will identify children who have a heart rate higher than expected for a given temperature and facilitate the interpretation of changes in heart rate on reassessment. Further research on the predictive value of the centile charts is needed to optimise their diagnostic utility.
Related Concept Videos
01:14Temperature Measurement Sites
Oral: When assessing oral temperature, the thermometer tip should be placed under the tongue in the posterior sublingual pocket. It offers accurate readings and can be...
01:19Assessing Body Temperature - Temporal Artery
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and don a fresh pair of gloves to prevent cross-infection and ensure patient safety.
Step 2: Explain the procedure to the patient to establish trust. Clear communication establishes trust with the patient, ensures they understand what to expect, promotes cooperation, and enhances comfort during the procedure.
Step 3: Assess the patient's forehead...
01:27Assessing Body Temperature - Rectal
Follow these steps for rectal temperature assessment:
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and don clean gloves to prevent cross-infection.
Step 2: Position the patient in a side-lying position to better visualize the rectal...
01:14Assessing Body Temperature - Axilla
Step 1: Perform hand hygiene and put on clean gloves to maintain infection control and prevent cross-contamination.
Step 2: Prepare the patient by explaining the procedure to ensure understanding and cooperation. Ensure privacy, expose the axilla, and inform the patient that minimal movement is crucial for an accurate reading.
Step 3: Adjust the patient’s clothing to expose only the axilla. It minimizes...
01:14Assessing Body Temperature - Oral
Step 1:
Start by practicing proper hand hygiene to prevent the spread of microorganisms.
Step 2:
Take the thermometer out of the charging unit, switch it on, and wait for the ready sign.
Step 3:
Gently slide the probe cover until a click is heard. This simple action prevents cross-contamination and ensures the correct placement of the probe cover.
Step 4:
Instruct the patient to open their mouth and place...
01:30Factors Influencing Heart Rate
Let us explore the significant factors affecting heart rate, including age, body temperature, posture, acute pain, chemical influences,...