Clinical observations

Approximate normal physiological ranges

Temperature (°C)

Oral — 36.5–37.5
Axillary (under arm) — 36–37
Rectal — 37–37.8
Tympanic (in ear) — 36.8–37.8

Remember

Non-touch thermometers are screening tools only and not for clinical use
Tympanic temperature is unreliable if ear drum is not intact, is scarred or ear canal contains pus, wax or debris

Table 8.1

Age	Weight (kg)	Pulse (beats/min) Normal range	RR(breaths/min)	BP systolic (mmHg)
Newborn	3.5kg	120–185	25–60breaths/min	60–95*mmHg
3 months	6kg	115–180	25–60breaths/min	60–105*mmHg
6 months	8kg	110–180	20–55breaths/min	75–105*mmHg
1 year	10kg	105–180	20–45breaths/min	70–105*mmHg
2 years	12kg	95–175	20–40breaths/min	70–105*mmHg
4 years	15kg	80–150	17–30breaths/min	75–110*mmHg
6 years	20kg	75–140	16–30breaths/min	80–115mmHg
8 years	25kg	70–130	16–30breaths/min	80–115mmHg
10 years	30kg	60–130	15–25breaths/min	85–120mmHg
12 years	40kg	65–120	15–25breaths/min	90–120mmHg
14 years	50kg	60–115	14–25breaths/min	90–125mmHg
16 years	60kg	60–115	14–25breaths/min	90–130mmHg
17 years+	65kg	60–115	14–25breaths/min	90– 135mmHg
BP for children under 4 years are not reliable and difficult to measure Royal Children's Hospital (2020) Acceptable ranges for physiological variables*