How is the Cardiovascular System Different in Children?
The cardiovascular system in children undergoes significant changes from birth through adolescence. At birth, the closure of fetal shunts like the foramen ovale and ductus arteriosus is critical for the transition to independent circulation. The heart rate in infants is higher, averaging between 120-160 beats per minute, which gradually decreases as they grow older. The blood pressure is lower in children, with normal values increasing with age.
