Lab values
Newborn Normal Values
Term newborn in the first days. Apgar and glucose numbers guide care; they are not diagnoses.
| Test | US units | SI units | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart rate | 100–160 beats/min | 100–160 beats/min | Many texts give 110–160 or 120–160; lower in sleep (down to about 80) and up to 180 crying |
| Respiratory rate | 30–60 breaths/min | 30–60 breaths/min | Merck gives 40–60. Count a full minute; newborn breathing is irregular |
| Temperature, axillary | 36.5–37.5 °C (97.7–99.5 °F) | 36.5–37.5 °C (97.7–99.5 °F) | |
| Weight loss | Usually 3–9% of birth weight in the first several days | Usually 3–9% of birth weight in the first several days | More than 10% in the first week usually means underfeeding; breastfed babies are back to birth weight by about 2 weeks (formula-fed sooner) SI: More than 10% in the first week usually means underfeeding; breastfed babies are back to birth weight by about 2 weeks (formula-fed sooner) |
| Apgar score | 7–10 at 5 minutes is normal | 7–10 at 5 minutes is normal | 4–6 intermediate, 0–3 low. Scored at 1 and 5 min, again at 10 min if below 7; not used to guide resuscitation |
| Glucose, birth to 4 hours | IV glucose if below 25 mg/dL after a feed | IV glucose if below 1.4 mmol/L after a feed | AAP 2011, at-risk babies without symptoms: 25–40 after a feed, feed again or give IV glucose as needed; aim for 45 or higher before routine feeds SI: AAP 2011, at-risk babies without symptoms: 1.4–2.2 after a feed, feed again or give IV glucose as needed; aim for 2.5 or higher before routine feeds |
| Glucose, 4 to 24 hours | IV glucose if below 35 mg/dL after a feed | IV glucose if below 1.9 mmol/L after a feed | 35–45 after a feed, feed again or give IV glucose as needed. After 24 h keep checking before feeds while below 45 SI: 1.9–2.5 after a feed, feed again or give IV glucose as needed. After 24 h keep checking before feeds while below 2.5 |
| Glucose with symptoms | Below 40 mg/dL: IV glucose | Below 2.2 mmol/L: IV glucose | Brief dips to 30 without symptoms are common after birth SI: Brief dips to 1.7 without symptoms are common after birth |
| Bilirubin (jaundice) | No single cutoff: AAP 2022 hour-specific curves | No single cutoff: AAP 2022 hour-specific curves | Phototherapy thresholds depend on age in hours, gestational age and neurotoxicity risk factors. TSB or TcB for every baby 35 weeks or more at 24–48 h or before discharge; confirm a TcB of 15 mg/dL or more, or within 3 of the phototherapy threshold, with a TSB. Jaundice in the first 24 h suggests hemolysis SI: Phototherapy thresholds depend on age in hours, gestational age and neurotoxicity risk factors. TSB or TcB for every baby 35 weeks or more at 24–48 h or before discharge; confirm a TcB of 257 µmol/L or more, or within 51 of the phototherapy threshold, with a TSB. Jaundice in the first 24 h suggests hemolysis |
Study the labs
- ABG Interpretation in 6 StepspH, PaCO₂, HCO₃⁻, compensation, anion gap and oxygenation, with worked examples
- Electrolyte ImbalancesNa, K, Ca, Mg and phos: normals, ECG clues, safe replacement, hyperkalemia steps
- Pediatric Assessment and EmergenciesPAT, vital signs, airway infections, febrile seizures, dehydration, arrest, choking and abuse
Other lab values
- Chemistry
- Hematology
- Coagulation
- Arterial blood gas
- Liver and pancreas
- Cardiac
- Therapeutic drug levels
- Urine
- Pregnancy and postpartum
- Pediatric vital signs by age
- Pediatric labs that differ from adults
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Sources
- Merck Manual 2026; MedlinePlus 2025 (respiratory rate); Open RN Nursing Health Promotion 12.5; AHA via StatPearls 2023 (temperature); AAP 2011 glucose report via Contemporary Pediatrics and Healio; AAP 2022 bilirubin guideline via AAFP 2023
For education and exam preparation only. Follow your institution’s protocols. Typical adult values for study. Follow your local protocols and medical direction.