Final answer:
An infant or child with a decreased heart rate and not breathing, with a heart rate less than 60 beats per minute, requires immediate medical attention for resuscitation and stabilization. This can indicate the need for urgent intervention and treatment. Decreased heart rate can also be a sign of bradycardia, a condition that can occur in adults and children due to various factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Of the five Apgar criteria, heart rate and respiration are the most critical. Poor scores for either of these measurements may indicate the need for immediate medical attention. In general, any score lower than 7 at the 5-minute mark indicates that medical assistance may be needed, and a total score below 5 indicates an emergency situation. A newborn with a heart rate less than 60 beats per minute and not breathing would require immediate medical attention to resuscitate and stabilize.
Decreased heart rate can also be a sign of bradycardia, a condition in which the resting heart rate drops below 60 beats per minute. This condition may occur in adults and children, and it may be caused by various factors such as inherent abnormalities, heart diseases, neurological disorders, or external causes like metabolic disorders or recreational drug use.
It is important to seek medical attention and follow the appropriate treatment for any abnormal heart rate and respiratory issues in infants or children to ensure their well-being.