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Diagnosis
A respiratory rate of ≥60 breaths per minute had high sensitivity for detecting hypoxia in infants

https://doi.org/10.1136/ebm.5.5.153

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    (2000) Arch Dis Child 82, 46. Rajesh VT, Singhi S, Kataria S. . Tachypnoea is a good predictor of hypoxia in acutely ill infants under 2 month. s. . Jan;. :. –9..
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 QUESTION: In ill infants <2 months of age, can the respiratory rate be used as an indicator of hypoxia?

    Design

    Blinded comparison of respiratory rate with oxygen saturation level.

    Setting

    A hospital paediatric emergency service in Chandigarh, India.

    Participants

    200 infants who were <2 months of age (mean age 28 d) and had symptoms of any acute illness. Exclusion criteria were age <24 hours, major congenital malformations, previous admission to hospital, or active cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

    Description of test and diagnostic standard

    The respiratory rate was counted for 1 minute while observing the infant's chest and abdominal movements when the infant was quiet. If the respiratory rate was ≥50 breaths/minute, the rate was counted again after 30 minutes. The diagnostic standard was the assessment of oxygen saturation, which was measured at the finger or toe with a pulse oximeter (BCI, Waukesha, WI, USA). Hypoxia was defined as an oxygen saturation level ≤90%.

    Main outcome measures

    Sensitivity and specificity for detecting hypoxia.

    Main results

    77 infants (39%) had hypoxia. The table shows sensitivities, specificities, and likelihood ratios. The …

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    Footnotes

    • Source of funding: not stated.

    • For correspondence: Dr S Singhi, Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India. Fax +91 172 744401.