Heart rate of normal full-term newborns

The normal heart rate for a healthy full-term newborn ranges between 120 and 140 beats per minute. A heart rate within this range is considered normal. Specifically:

If a healthy full-term newborn's heart rate exceeds 140 beats per minute, it indicates tachycardia. This is usually caused by underlying medical conditions such as hypoxia or fever. If due to hypoxia, timely oxygen supplementation should be provided to relieve symptoms. If fever results from bacterial infection, treatment with cephalosporin antibiotics under medical supervision is recommended. Commonly used medications include cefradine and cefadroxil, which help alleviate the increased heart rate.

If a healthy full-term newborn's heart rate is below 120 beats per minute, it indicates bradycardia. This may result from low ambient temperature or inadequate warming, leading to decreased body temperature and reduced basal metabolism. It could also be caused by infections or congenital hypothyroidism. It is advisable to seek hospital evaluation to determine the specific underlying cause of the slow heart rate.