Assessing the Newborn: Heart Rate
- Use a stethoscope to auscultate the apical beat as this is point where there is a maximal impulse against the chest wall – this is around the 4th intercostal space in newborns.
- Tap out the beat for everyone to hear, this will ensure that everyone is clear about what you’re hearing
Assess whether the heart rate is
- Very Slow: less than 60/ min
- Slow: 60-100/min
- Fast: more that 100/min
It is not necessary to count with precise accuracy the ranges above are important to remember as this will determine whether further support is required.
ECG monitoring can rapidly and accurately determine the heart rate, however this only determines the rate and not whether the is sufficient cardiac output.
