Final answer:
Infants under 1 year old have a normal respiratory rate of 30 to 60 breaths per minute. This rate decreases with age, reaching an adult rate of 12 to 18 breaths per minute during adolescence. The respiratory rate is essential for maintaining proper alveolar ventilation to prevent carbon dioxide buildup.
Step-by-step explanation:
The normal breathing rates for an infant, who is less than 1 year old, range from 30 to 60 breaths per minute. This respiratory rate is significantly higher than that of older children and adults, due to the higher metabolic rate and oxygen demand in infancy. As children grow, there is a gradual decrease in the number of breaths per minute. By the age of 10, the normal respiratory rate is about 18 to 30 breaths per minute, and during adolescence, it approaches the adult range of 12 to 18 breaths per minute.
Understanding the normal respiratory rates is crucial, as they can be a key indicator of health or illness in a child. The ventilatory process involves the alveoli where the alveolar ventilation accounts for air movement into and out of the lungs, preventing carbon dioxide buildup. The respiratory rate, along with the tidal volume, helps in maintaining this alveolar ventilation. Variations in respiratory rate and tidal volume are especially significant during periods of increased oxygen demand or physical exertion.