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Normal Pulse Rate of a 17 Month Old
The heart rate of a healthy toddler can vary tremendously. During times of illness or stress, a 17-month-old may experience a shocking elevation in heart rate. Many otherwise-healthy toddlers simply have above-average or below-average pulse rates. In general, temporary increases in heart rate are harmless. However, when an abnormally high (or low) heart rate is sustained over a long period of time, it may indicate a medical condition or a functional abnormality in the child's body. Concerned parents should contact a pediatrician with any concerns relating to a child's pulse rate or heart rhythm.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Differences from Adults
Many parents grow concerned about toddlers' heart rates because they tend to be much faster than adults'. Parents should never assume that a normal adult heart rate is also the target range for a young child. A heart rate of 180 beats per minute, which would be alarming in an adult, is normal for a three-week-old baby. Likewise, a 17-month-old may have an apparently rapid heart rate that is actually within normal parameters. Slow heart rates (under 50 bpm) may be normal for some adults, but dangerously low for a young child.
- Many parents grow concerned about toddlers' heart rates because they tend to be much faster than adults'.
- A heart rate of 180 beats per minute, which would be alarming in an adult, is normal for a three-week-old baby.
Average Pulse Rate
Increased Heart Rate in Toddlers
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The National Institutes of Health offer guidelines for doctors evaluating the vital signs of children 1. The average pulse rate for a child between one and two years of age is 110-115 beats per minute, but there can be significant variances. A 17-month-old''s normal heart rate can range from 80 to 150 beats per minute. Every child's body is different, and some toddlers may consistently have heart rates on the high or low end of the spectrum. Except in special circumstances, variations in a toddler's heart rate are harmless; a slightly fast or slow pulse is rarely symptomatic of a serious illness.
- The National Institutes of Health offer guidelines for doctors evaluating the vital signs of children 1.
- The average pulse rate for a child between one and two years of age is 110-115 beats per minute, but there can be significant variances.
Influencing Factors
Many factors can temporarily elevate a 17-month-old's heart rate. Active, curious children may experience an increased heart rate during and after playtime, with a slow-down during times of rest and sleep. Stimulants, including caffeine and theobromine (found in chocolate,) can cause a temporary elevation of heart rate. Children can also experience a quicker pulse when they are anxious or upset; a 17-month-old having a tantrum will almost invariably experience a sharp increase in heart rate. Anxiety may contribute to "white coat tachycardia", which causes many patients -- both children and adults -- to have quicker heart rates during a medical exam.
- Many factors can temporarily elevate a 17-month-old's heart rate.
- Anxiety may contribute to "white coat tachycardia", which causes many patients -- both children and adults -- to have quicker heart rates during a medical exam.
Tachycardia
High Fever and Racing Resting Pulse for Kids
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In toddlers, tachycardia (an abnormally fast heart rate) can be difficult to identify, since so many toddlers have a naturally rapid pulse. In general, a doctor may suspect clinical tachycardia in a 17-month-old whose pulse rate is consistently above 170-180 bpm. Even in these cases, a diagnosis of tachycardia is not necessarily grim: many toddlers with tachycardia are perfectly healthy and experience no significant health problems. After diagnosing tachycardia, a pediatrician may investigate possible underlying causes, including thyroid disease, heart abnormalities, and disorders of the central nervous system.cause:
- After diagnosing tachycardia
- a pediatrician may investigate possible underlying causes
- including thyroid disease
- heart abnormalities,
- disorders of the central nervous system
- In toddlers, tachycardia (an abnormally fast heart rate) can be difficult to identify, since so many toddlers have a naturally rapid pulse.
- Even in these cases, a diagnosis of tachycardia is not necessarily grim: many toddlers with tachycardia are perfectly healthy and experience no significant health problems.
Bradycardia
Bradycardia (slow pulse) is much less common in toddlers. An average 17-month-old will have a heart rate of 80 beats per minute or more, but anything above 70 is still generally recognized as acceptable. A toddler whose heart rate is consistently below 50 may be diagnosed with bradycardia. Like tachycardia, bradycardia can be caused by a variety of conditions, including abnormalities of the circulatory, endocrine and central nervous system.
- Bradycardia (slow pulse) is much less common in toddlers.
- An average 17-month-old will have a heart rate of 80 beats per minute or more, but anything above 70 is still generally recognized as acceptable.
Related Articles
References
- National Institutes of Health
- Cleveland Clinic. Pulse and heart rate. Updated November 18, 2018.
- Reimers AK, Knapp G, Reimers CD. Effects of exercise on the resting heart rate: A systematic review and meta-analysis of interventional studies. J Clin Med. 2018;7(12):503. doi:10.3390/jcm7120503
- Quer G, Gouda P, Galarnyk M, Topol EJ, Steinhubl SR. Inter- and intraindividual variability in daily resting heart rate and its associations with age, sex, sleep, BMI, and time of year: Retrospective, longitudinal cohort study of 92,457 adults. PLoS One. 2020;15(2):e0227709. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0227709
Writer Bio
Juniper Russo, an eclectic autodidact, has been writing professionally since 2008. Her work has appeared in several online and print-based publications, including Animal Wellness. Russo regularly publishes health-related content and advocates an evidence-based, naturopathic approach to health care.