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Respiratory Rate During the First 24 Hours of Life in Healthy Term Infants

Lars Tveiten1, Lien My Diep2, Thomas Halvorsen3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Elverum, Norway; Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; and lars.tveiten@sykehuset-innlandet.no.

Pediatrics
|April 1, 2016
PubMed

Insights

This study establishes normal respiratory rate (RR) ranges for healthy newborns in their first 24 hours. These findings provide a scientific basis for assessing infant breathing patterns and identifying potential health issues early.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal physiology
  • Pediatric respiratory health
  • Clinical reference ranges

Background:

  • Abnormal respiratory rate (RR) is a critical indicator of neonatal disease.
  • Establishing accurate reference ranges for RR in newborns is essential for early detection of health issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the reference range for respiratory rate (RR) in healthy, term infants during the initial 24 hours of life.
  • Provide a scientifically validated tool for neonatal assessment.

Main Methods:

  • Respiratory rate (RR) was measured in 953 healthy, term infants during sleep or quiet states at 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours.
  • Data collection involved stethoscope auscultation for 60 seconds.
  • Maternal and birth data were sourced from medical records and the Medical Birth Registry of Norway.

Main Results:

  • Median RR ranged from 42-46 breaths/minute, with 95th percentiles between 58-65 breaths/minute and fifth percentiles at 30-32 breaths/minute.
  • Higher RR was observed in awake versus sleeping infants, after meconium staining, and in boys compared to girls.
  • No significant difference in RR was found between infants born via vaginal or cesarean delivery.

Conclusions:

  • The established RR percentiles offer a scientifically grounded method for evaluating newborn infants born at term.
  • These reference ranges support clinical decision-making in neonatal care.
Abstract

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