| ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2001 | Volume
: 6
| Issue : 2 | Page : 116-119 |
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Use of clinical parameters other than respiratory rate in predicting pneumonia in under five children in Enugu, Nigeria
Beckie N Tagbo1, Anthony C Ude2, Bede C Ibe3
1 Institute of Child Health, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria
2 Department of Radiology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria
3 Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
Beckie N Tagbo
Institute of Child Health, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
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Aim: To identify clinical parameters other than respiratory rate which are simple and equally predictive of pneumonia in under five children.
Patients and Method: One hundred and one children with respiratory symptoms ≤ 28 days were studied. Detailed history, physical examination and chest radiography were done on each child. Data was analyzed using the EPI-INFO version 5 software.
Results: A combination of history of difficult breathing and/or observation of chest in-drawing was the best predictor of pneumonia in all age groups studied (75% sensitivity, 80% positive predictive value).
Conclusion: We suggest that the current WHO guideline on the use of respiratory rate to predict pneumonia be expanded to include history of difficult breathing and/or observation of chest in-drawing as major criteria for predicting pneumonia in under five children.
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