Objective-To evaluate the respiratory rate as an indicator of hypoxia in infants < 2 months of age. Setting-Pediatric emergency unit of an urban teaching hospital. Subjects-200 infants < 2 months, with symptom(s) of any acute illness. Methods-Respiratory rate (by observation method), and oxygen saturation (SaO 2 ) by means of a pulse oximeter were recorded at admission. Infants were categorised by presence or absence of hypoxia (SaO 2 < 90%). Results-The respiratory rate was > 50/ min in 120 (60%), > 60/min in 101 (50.5%), and > 70/min in 58 (29%) infants. Hypoxia (SaO 2 < 90%) was seen in 77 (38.5%) infants. Respiratory rate and SaO 2 showed a significant negative correlation (r = −0.39). Respiratory rate > 60/min predicted hypoxia with 80% sensitivity and 68% specificity. Conclusion-These results indicates that a respiratory rate > 60/min is a good predictor of hypoxia in infants under 2 months of age brought to the emergency service of an urban hospital for any symptom(s) of acute illness. (Arch Dis Child 2000;82:46-49)

We have provided the norms related to length of insertion of pulmonary artery catheter, which should be useful in accurate placement of the catheter and minimize complications related to coiling of the catheter.

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