Simple clinical signs predict hypoxaemia

Hypoxaemic children with acute lower respiratory tract infections are five times more likely to die than non-hypoxaemic children. As pulse oximetry is not readily available in many developing countries, decisions on referral and oxygen therapy must be made on the basis of clinical signs. On p 86 Usen et al found that a respiratory rate 70 breaths/min, no spontaneous movement during examination, head nodding, cyanosis, grunting, and an absence of a volunteered history of fever were found to be independent and useful predictors of hypoxaemia in children. Any combination of these signs increased either the sensitivity or specificity.


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