Repeat assessment of examination signs among children in Malawi with fast-breathing pneumonia

Abstract

BackgroundAs part of a randomised controlled trial of treatment with placebo versus 3 days of amoxicillin for nonsevere fast-breathing pneumonia among Malawian children aged 2–59 months, a subset of children was hospitalised for observation. We sought to characterise the progression of fast-breathing pneumonia among children undergoing repeat assessments to better understand which children do and do not deteriorate.MethodsVital signs and physical examination findings, including respiratory rate, arterial oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry (SpO2), chest indrawing and temperature were assessed every 3 h for the duration of hospitalisation. Children were assessed for treatment failure during study visits on days 1, 2, 3 and 4.ResultsHospital monitoring data from 436 children were included. While no children had SpO2 90–93% at baseline, 7.4% (16 of 215) of children receiving amoxicillin and 9.5% (21 of 221) receiving placebo developed SpO2 90–93% during monitoring. Similarly, no children had chest indrawing at enrolment, but 6.6% (14 of 215) in the amoxicillin group and 7.2% (16 of 221) in the placebo group went on to develop chest indrawing during hospitalisation.ConclusionRepeat monitoring of children with fast-breathing pneumonia identified vital and physical examination signs not present at baseline, including SpO2 90–93% and chest indrawing. This information may support providers and policymakers in developing guidance for care of children with nonsevere pneumonia.

Use of the ReSVinet Scale for parents and healthcare workers in a paediatric emergency service: a prospective study

“…Up to 7% of patients may develop intercostal retractions during periodic monitoring. 21 Other authors have used automatic respiratory rate counters; however, they are not universally available and require cost-effectiveness studies. 22 23 It has also been previously shown that the sensitivity and specificity of caregivers is insufficient to recognise tachypnoea and signs of respiratory distress in respiratory diseases and pneumonia.…”