Rapid breathing in newborns

Rapid breathing in newborns (tachypnea): Normal range and warning signs

A newborn's breathing is one of the primary indicators of their health, and any deviation from the norm naturally worries parents. Rapid, shallow breathing, known as tachypnea, is one such symptom. It is important to distinguish physiological, temporary acceleration of breathing from signs of respiratory insufficiency that require immediate medical attention.

What breathing rate is normal for a newborn?

The first thing to know is that newborns breathe much more frequently than adults. The normal breathing rate (BR) at rest for a child in the first months of life is 40-60 breaths per minute. For comparison, an adult's rate is 16-20 breaths per minute.

Additionally, a newborn's breathing is irregular. This is called periodic breathing: the baby may have a series of rapid, shallow breaths, then pause for 5-10 seconds, and then resume breathing. This is completely normal, related to the immaturity of the respiratory center in the brain, provided the pauses are short and the child does not change color. Read about the physiology of sleep and breathing in the article "Physiology of newborn sleep".

When is rapid breathing a warning sign?

Tachypnea as a symptom is a sustained breathing rate above 60-70 breaths per minute at rest. This indicates that the child's body is lacking oxygen and is trying to compensate by breathing more frequently. It is usually accompanied by other signs of respiratory insufficiency:

• Nasal flaring: The baby's nostrils widen with each inhalation.
• Retraction of chest wall areas: The skin pulls in between the ribs or above the clavicles.
• "Grunting" on exhalation: The baby makes a characteristic sound with each exhalation.
• Cyanosis: Bluish discoloration of the lips or skin.

The causes of this condition may include neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (especially in preterm infants), pneumonia, congenital heart defects, or other serious illnesses. If you notice these symptoms, it is a reason for calling emergency services immediately. Read more about warning symptoms in the article "Breathing problems in newborns".