What is the normal range for a child's heart rate at rest?

The normal resting heart rate for children varies with age, but generally falls within the range of 70 to 110 beats per minute. This range is established based on the physiological differences between children and adults, as children's hearts pump more rapidly relative to their body size and metabolic needs.

Infants and younger children typically have higher resting heart rates as they are growing rapidly and require increased oxygenation and nutrients. As children age, their heart rates gradually decrease and stabilize into the range often seen in adults. The choice of 70 to 110 beats per minute accurately reflects the resting heart rate for most children, providing a standard for nursing assessments.

The other ranges presented do not align with established pediatric norms; thus, they would not serve as reliable indicators of a child's cardiovascular health when evaluating heart rate in a clinical setting.