Can clinical signs predict hypoxaemia in Papua New Guinean children with moderate and severe pneumonia?
- 1 March 2005
- journal article
- Published by Informa UK Limited in Paediatrics and International Child Health
- Vol. 25 (1), 23-27
- https://doi.org/10.1179/146532805x23317
Abstract
Pulse oximetry was performed on 77 children admitted with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI) to the children's ward in Port Moresby General Hospital, Papua New Guinea over a 4-month period in 2002. Clinical findings were correlated with different levels of hypoxaemia, <93%, <90% and <85%. Cyanosis, head nodding and drowsiness were good predictors of hypoxia but lacked sensitivity. Decisions to use oxygen based on these signs would therefore result in a significant number of children with hypoxia not receiving oxygen. Pulse oximetry is the best indicator of hypoxaemia in children with ALRI and, although relatively expensive, its use might be cost-effective in controlling oxygen requirements.Keywords
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