Pediatric EMS Reference
Enter patient age to get estimated weight, minimum BP, normal vital sign ranges, and weight-based drug doses. Includes Broselow color zone reference.
Part of the EMS Medical Calculator Suite
Patient Age
Broselow Tape Color Zone Reference
The Broselow Tape correlates patient length to estimated weight and color-coded drug doses. In the field, measure from the top of the patient's head to their heel and match the color.
| Zone | Length | Est. Weight | Approx. Age | HR | RR | SBP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gray | 46–54 cm | 3–5 kg | 0–3 mo | 100–160 | 30–50 | 60–90 |
| Pink | 54–62 cm | 6–7 kg | 3–7 mo | 100–160 | 25–45 | 70–100 |
| Red | 62–70 cm | 8–9 kg | 7–12 mo | 100–155 | 25–40 | 70–100 |
| Purple | 70–80 cm | 10–11 kg | 12–18 mo | 90–150 | 22–35 | 80–105 |
| Yellow | 80–90 cm | 12–14 kg | 18–36 mo | 85–145 | 20–30 | 80–110 |
| White | 90–100 cm | 15–18 kg | 3–4 yr | 80–140 | 20–30 | 82–115 |
| Blue | 100–110 cm | 19–22 kg | 5–6 yr | 75–130 | 18–26 | 84–120 |
| Orange | 110–124 cm | 24–29 kg | 7–9 yr | 70–125 | 16–24 | 88–125 |
| Green | 124–140 cm | 30–36 kg | 10–12 yr | 60–115 | 14–22 | 90–130 |
This is an approximation for study purposes. The actual Broselow-Luten Tape (Broselow Pediatric Emergency Tape) provides precise, evidence-based weight and dose references. Use the actual tape in clinical settings.
Normal Vital Signs by Age Group
| Age Group | HR (bpm) | RR (br/min) | SBP (mmHg) | SpO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn (0–1 mo) | 100–160 | 30–60 | 60–90 | ≥95% |
| Infant (1–12 mo) | 100–160 | 25–50 | 70–100 | ≥95% |
| Toddler (1–3 yr) | 90–150 | 20–30 | 80–110 | ≥95% |
| Preschool (3–6 yr) | 80–140 | 18–30 | 80–115 | ≥95% |
| School-age (6–12 yr) | 70–120 | 14–24 | 80–120 | ≥95% |
| Adolescent (13–18) | 60–100 | 12–20 | 90–130 | ≥95% |
These are general ranges. Individual patient baselines vary. Assess trends over time, not single readings in isolation.
Key Pediatric Formulas
Minimum Systolic BP (PALS/NREMT)
Min SBP = 70 + (2 × age in years)
Example: 6-year-old → 70 + 12 = 82 mmHg minimum
Weight Estimation (1–10 yr)
kg = 2 × (age in years + 4)
Example: 4-year-old → 2 × (4+4) = 16 kg
lbs to kg (universal)
kg = lbs ÷ 2.2
Pediatric EMS Assessment: What to Know for the NREMT
Pediatric patients are not small adults. Their physiology, vital sign norms, and medication doses differ by age and weight. The NREMT cognitive exam tests your ability to recognize abnormal pediatric vital signs and apply weight-based dosing — without a calculator. To calculate actual drug volumes once you have the weight, use the weight-based dose calculator or the medication dosage calculator.
Three concepts are tested most heavily:
- Minimum systolic BP — use 70 + (2 × age in years) as your floor. Below this threshold, the child is in decompensated shock.
- Weight estimation — use the Broselow Tape in the field, or the formula 2 × (age + 4) for written exam scenarios.
- Pediatric vital sign ranges — tachycardia means different things in a 2-month-old (HR 180 = normal upper limit) versus a 10-year-old (HR 180 = severely tachycardic). Know the ranges by age group.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Broselow Tape and how do I use it?
The Broselow-Luten Pediatric Emergency Tape is a color-coded measuring tape used to estimate weight based on the child's length. Lay the tape next to the child, align the red end with the top of the head, and read the color zone at the heel. That color corresponds to a weight range and pre-calculated drug doses printed in the Broselow reference. In the field, the Broselow Tape is faster and more reliable than asking for weight — parents frequently overestimate or underestimate.
How is decompensated shock different in pediatric patients?
Children have excellent physiological compensation mechanisms — they can maintain blood pressure even while losing significant circulating volume. This means hypotension is a late and ominous sign in pediatric patients. By the time the systolic BP drops below the minimum threshold (70 + 2×age), the child has likely already lost 30–40% of blood volume. Treat for shock based on early signs (tachycardia, poor skin perfusion, altered mental status) — don't wait for hypotension.
Why do pediatric drug doses have maximum caps?
Weight-based dosing is designed to scale with patient size, but the calculated dose for larger children can sometimes exceed adult doses. Maximum dose caps prevent overdose in older, heavier pediatric patients whose calculated dose (mg/kg × weight) would otherwise surpass the adult limit. Always apply the cap: give whichever is smaller — the weight-based dose or the adult maximum.
What's the normal respiratory rate for a 1-year-old?
A 1-year-old (infant) has a normal respiratory rate of 25–50 breaths per minute. A rate above 60 or below 20 in an infant is abnormal and warrants immediate assessment. The mnemonic many EMTs use: infants breathe faster, older kids slower, with rates converging toward adult norms (12–20) by adolescence.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I estimate pediatric weight for EMS?
- In the field, use the Broselow-Luten Tape — lay it next to the patient and match the color zone at the heel to get estimated weight and pre-calculated drug doses. For exam questions, use the formula: kg = 2 × (age in years + 4) for children aged 1–10 years.
- What is the minimum systolic BP formula for pediatric patients?
- The PALS/NREMT formula for minimum acceptable systolic BP is: 70 + (2 × age in years). A 6-year-old's minimum SBP = 70 + 12 = 82 mmHg. Below this threshold indicates decompensated shock requiring immediate intervention.
- Why do pediatric patients show shock signs later than adults?
- Children have excellent compensatory mechanisms — they can maintain blood pressure while losing a significant percentage of circulating volume. Hypotension is a late, ominous sign in pediatric shock. Treat based on early signs: tachycardia, prolonged cap refill, altered mental status, and poor skin perfusion — don't wait for hypotension.
- What are normal vital signs for a 2-year-old?
- For a toddler (1–3 years): heart rate 90–150 bpm, respiratory rate 20–30 breaths/min, systolic BP 80–110 mmHg, SpO₂ ≥95%. The minimum acceptable systolic BP is 70 + (2 × 2) = 74 mmHg. These ranges differ significantly from adult norms — knowing age-specific values is directly tested on the NREMT.
- What color zones does the Broselow Tape use?
- The Broselow-Luten Tape uses nine color zones by patient length: Gray (3–5 kg, newborn), Pink (6–7 kg, 3–7 mo), Red (8–9 kg, 7–12 mo), Purple (10–11 kg, 12–18 mo), Yellow (12–14 kg, 18–36 mo), White (15–18 kg, 3–4 yr), Blue (19–22 kg, 5–6 yr), Orange (24–29 kg, 7–9 yr), and Green (30–36 kg, 10–12 yr). Each zone has a corresponding estimated weight and pre-calculated drug doses.
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