An infant’s pulse serves as a fundamental indicator of their circulatory health. Understanding how to accurately locate and assess an infant’s pulse is a valuable skill for parents and caregivers, useful for general awareness or quick assessment of their condition.
Checking the Brachial Pulse
For infants, the brachial artery is the preferred site for checking a pulse due to its accessibility and consistent strength. This artery is located on the inner side of the upper arm, between the shoulder and the elbow. Its superficial location makes it easier for a layperson to detect.
To locate the brachial pulse, gently lay the infant on their back with one arm slightly bent. Use two or three fingers and place them on the inside of the infant’s upper arm, in the groove between the biceps and triceps muscles. Avoid using your thumb, as it has its own pulse and can lead to an inaccurate reading.
Apply gentle pressure with your fingers until a rhythmic throbbing sensation is felt. Infant pulses can be lighter and faster than those of adults, so soft pressure is important to avoid inadvertently compressing the artery and missing the pulse. Once the pulse is located, count the beats for 15 seconds. To determine the beats per minute, multiply the counted number by four. Alternatively, you can count for 30 seconds and multiply by two.
Other Important Pulse Points
While the brachial pulse is the primary site for infants, other pulse points exist that can be considered in specific circumstances. The femoral pulse, located in the groin area, is another reliable site. This pulse can be used in emergencies, especially when the brachial pulse is difficult to access, but it may be more challenging for a layperson to locate quickly.
The temporal pulse, found on the temple near the outer corner of the eye, is sometimes visible or palpable. However, it is not commonly used for general assessment in infants. The carotid pulse, located on the side of the neck, is generally not recommended for laypersons to check on infants. This is because infants have small, delicate necks, and there is a risk of inadvertently compressing the trachea or reducing blood flow to the brain.
Understanding Infant Pulse Rates and When to Act
Normal infant pulse rates vary significantly with age and activity level. For newborns aged 0 to 1 month, a typical resting heart rate can range from 70 to 190 beats per minute (bpm), while infants from 1 month to 1 year old generally have a resting rate between 80 and 160 bpm. These rates are higher than those for older children and adults.
Factors such as crying, fever, sleep, or increased activity can influence an infant’s pulse rate. For example, a baby’s heart rate will naturally increase during periods of activity or when they are crying, and it will typically be slower during sleep. Understanding these variations helps in interpreting the pulse correctly.
It is important to seek medical attention if an infant’s pulse rate is consistently outside these normal ranges, either too fast or too slow. A pulse that is weak, thready, or absent in an infant who appears unwell also warrants immediate medical evaluation. Other accompanying symptoms of distress, such as difficulty breathing, pale or bluish skin discoloration, or lethargy, indicate a need for urgent professional medical assessment.