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
- Lab Values to KnowNormal ranges in US units, therapeutic drug levels, and acting on a critical result
- Postpartum and Newborn NormalsFundus and lochia, BUBBLE-HE, PPH, Rh and vaccines, newborn vital signs, Apgar, jaundice, glucose, screening and discharge teaching
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 the order, the label and your institution's protocols.