Common health problems in babies include colds, coughs, fevers, and vomiting. Babies also commonly have skin problems, like diaper rash or cradle cap. Many of these problems are not serious. It is important to know how to help your sick baby, and to know the warning signs for more serious problems.

With every newborn contact, respiratory evaluation is necessary because this is the highest priority in newborn care.

One of the first assessments is a baby’s Apgar score. At one minute and five minutes after birth, infants are checked for heart and respiratory rates, muscle tone, reflexes, and color. This helps identify babies that have difficulty breathing or have other problems that need further care.

Normal Results The Apgar score is based on a total score of 1 to 10. The higher the score, the better the baby is doing after birth. A score of 7, 8, or 9 is normal and is a sign that the newborn is in good health.

What are vital signs?

(1)(15) Normally, the newborn’s respiratory rate is 30 to 60 breaths per minute. Tachypnea is defined as a respiratory rate greater than 60 breaths per minute.

Pediatric Vital Sign Normal Ranges

A baby’s normal temperature can range from about 97 to 100.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Most doctors consider a rectal temperature of 100.4 F or higher as a fever.

Primary Assessment

Risk factors There are a number of maternal conditions that increase the likelihood of tachycardia in the fetus. Hyperthyroidism secondary to thyroid stimulating antibodies, fever associated with systemic infections and substance abuse may result in an increase in the fetal heart rate above the normal range.

Infant (to 12 months): 100-160 beats per minute (bpm) Toddler (1-3 years): 90-150 bpm. Preschooler (3-5 years): 80-140 bpm.

Short bursts of acceleration of the baby’s heart rate are common and indicate that the baby is getting an adequate oxygen supply. Brief decelerations in the baby’s heart rate also can be normal, such as when the baby’s head is compressed while in the birth canal.

If an abnormally slow heart rate is detected, a comprehensive ultrasound exam should immediately be performed to evaluate fetal well-being, including movement, muscle tone and amniotic fluid level, to determine if the baby is in distress and needs urgent delivery.

By week 33, the baby’s movements will become smaller because they will be too big to swoop around in the womb anymore. They may hiccough from time to time, causing small rhythmic bumps in the uterus. The baby’s heart rate is generally around 130 to 140 beats per minute.

Myth: Fetal heart rate can indicate your baby’s sex. Fact: A normal fetal heart rate is between 120 and 160 beats per minute (bpm), although some people think if it’s faster (usually above the 140 bpm range) it’s a girl and if it’s slower it’s a boy.

You may have heard that your baby’s heart rate can predict their sex as early as the first trimester. If it’s over 140 bpm, you’re having a baby girl. Below 140 bpm, you’re carrying a boy. The truth is, your baby’s heart will likely start beating sometime around week 6 of your pregnancy.

Stress-related changes in a pregnant woman’s heart rate and blood pressure, along with chronic anxiety, can affect the heart rate of her developing fetus, a new study concludes.

How does pregnancy affect the heart? Pregnancy stresses your heart and circulatory system. During pregnancy, your blood volume increases by 30 to 50 percent to nourish your growing baby, your heart pumps more blood each minute and your heart rate increases. Labor and delivery add to your heart’s workload, too.

This extra blood results in a heart rate that’s about 25 percent faster than usual. A faster heart rate can result in occasional heart palpitations. These feel like your heart is fluttering or beating extremely fast. Heart palpitations can be normal and nonharmful during pregnancy.

I’m Pregnant. How Can I Avoid Having My Baby Early?

1. Get any health issues, like diabetes, managed and under control.
2. Don’t smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs.
3. Eat a healthy diet (getting plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, etc.)
4. Gain a healthy amount of weight (not too much or too little).
5. Protect yourself from infections (including Zika).

What Causes IUGR? Often, IUGR happens because the fetus doesn’t get enough nutrients and nourishment. This can happen if there is a problem with: the placenta, the tissue that brings nutrients and oxygen to the developing baby.

Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a condition where a baby is smaller than expected or when a baby’s growth slows or stops during pregnancy. It is also called intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Growth restriction early in pregnancy (early onset) happens because of chromosome problems in the baby. It also happens because of disease in the mother, or severe problems with the placenta. Growth restriction is called late onset if it happens after week 32 of the pregnancy. It is often linked to other problems.