How does the pediatric heart differ from the adult heart?
The pediatric heart is not a smaller version of the adult heart; it has unique anatomical and physiological characteristics. For instance, the heart rate in children is significantly higher than in adults. Newborns can have heart rates ranging from 120 to 160 beats per minute, while adults typically have rates of 60 to 100 beats per minute. The myocardium in children is also less compliant, meaning it is less able to stretch compared to adults.
