Which statement correctly compares adult and newborn oxygen requirements in mL/kg/min?

Which statement correctly compares adult and newborn oxygen requirements in mL/kg/min?

• A. Adults 3-4; Newborns 7-9
• B. Adults 7-9; Newborns 3-4
• C. Adults 3-4; Newborns 1-2
• D. Adults 5-6; Newborns 7-9

Answer: (A)

Oxygen consumption per kilogram at rest is much higher in newborns than in adults because newborns have a higher metabolic rate for their size. In practical terms, adults typically use about 3–4 ml of O2 per kg per minute at rest, whereas newborns require roughly 7–9 ml/kg/min. This difference explains why the statement pairing adult 3–4 with newborn 7–9 best matches the physiological reality. The other options either swap these values or assign an unrealistically low O2 use to newborns.

Oxygen consumption per kilogram at rest is much higher in newborns than in adults because newborns have a higher metabolic rate for their size. In practical terms, adults typically use about 3–4 ml of O2 per kg per minute at rest, whereas newborns require roughly 7–9 ml/kg/min. This difference explains why the statement pairing adult 3–4 with newborn 7–9 best matches the physiological reality. The other options either swap these values or assign an unrealistically low O2 use to newborns.