Final answer:
The average number of breaths per minute for school-age children between 6 and 12 years is 18 to 30. This reflects a decrease from the respiratory rate of younger children and will further decrease to adult rates (12 to 18 breaths per minute) in adolescence. These figures are for normal resting states and are regulated by the brain's respiratory center.
Step-by-step explanation:
Average Respiratory Rate of School-Age Children
The average number of breaths per minute for a school-age child between 6 and 12 years old ranges from 18 to 30. This decrease in respiratory rate from birth to adolescence reflects the maturity and efficiency of the respiratory system. While children under 1 year old breathe 30 to 60 times per minute, by around the age of 10 years, the rate aligns more closely with the lower end of 18 to 30 breaths per minute. Upon reaching adolescence, the rate further declines to approximate that of an adult, which is 12 to 18 breaths per minute.
It is important to note that these figures represent the normal resting state and can vary with activity and health conditions. The control of ventilation is managed by the brain's respiratory center, ensuring proper oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange in the lungs with each respiratory rate. The monitoring of respiratory rate can be a helpful indicator of a child's respiratory health and can provide a baseline for normal breathing patterns.