Final answer:
The normal respiratory rate for a newborn is 30-60 breaths per minute. This rate will decrease as the child ages, aligning with adult respiratory rates by adolescence. The regulation of respiratory rate is critical for effective alveolar ventilation and is influenced by key factors within the blood.
Step-by-step explanation:
The range of the newborn respiratory rate is 30-60 breaths per minute. This rate is typical for a child under 1 year of age. As children grow, the normal respiratory rate decreases. By the time a child is approximately 10 years old, this rate changes to about 18 to 30 breaths per minute. During adolescence, the respiratory rate further approaches that of an adult, which is 12 to 18 breaths per minute. The respiratory rate is crucial for maintaining proper alveolar ventilation, thereby preventing carbon dioxide buildup in the alveoli. The respiratory rate alongside heart rate is significantly emphasized during the Apgar scoring immediately after birth, informing the need for any potential medical intervention. It is controlled by the respiratory center within the medulla oblongata, which responds to various blood levels, including carbon dioxide, oxygen, and pH.