Table 5

Significant predictors* of severe illnesses in univariate analyses

Bang et al11Duke et al12English et al4English et al4Weber et al6YICSSG 200813YICSSG 200813
0–28 days0–59 days0–6 days7–59 days0–60 days0–6 days
Abdominal distension4.6 (2.2–9.7)
Abnormal movements4.5 (2.6–7.6)3.3 (2.0–5.6)
Bulging fontanelle18.7 (2.5–141.8)2.8 (0.3–32.0)5.6 (1.8–18.0)9.6 (3.1–29.9)
Chest indrawing3.7 (1.4–9.9)
Consolability: continues to cry/fuss2.9 to 4.0
Cyanosis2.4 (1.0–5.6)35.0 (10.0–122.7)7.1 (2.5–20.3)
Drowsy / unconscious40.2 (14.0–116.6)
Grunting7.0 (2.6 –18.7)2.4 (1.3–4.8)12.6 (4.1–38.7)9.7 (5.4–17.4)
History of blood in stool6.1 (2.2–16.9)
History of change in crying1.9 (1.4–2.7)
History of cough1.5 (1.1–2.0)
History of diarrhoea1.5 (1.1–2.2)
History of fever2.4 (1.8–3.2)2.9 (2.3–3.7)
History of no cry at birth2.6 (1.3–5.4)
Hypothermia5.3 (1.5–18.8)
Lethargic3.1 (1.8–5.3)2.6 (1.5–4.3)20.5 (13.8–30.5)24.0 (15.6–36.9)
Nasal flaring2.2 (1.0–4.9)3.0 (1.9–4.8)15.7 (5.7–43.1)14.8 (7.8–28.2)
Pallor37.5 (3.2–436.8)2.8 (0.3–31.8)16.4 (3.4–78.0)
Prolonged capillary refill12.1 (5.2–28.3)31.6 (11.8–84.3)
Reduced skin turgor3.7 (2.2–6.2)15.7 (6.6–37.4)
Restless and irritable7.2 (2.4–21.3)13.9 (6.8–28.3)
Stiff limbs44.9 (10.7–188.2)7.8 (2.1–29.2)
Sunken eyes11.5 (3.7–35.6)
Temperature (axillary) 35.0°C11.5 (4.5–30.0)
Unconscious5.0 (1.7–14.3)3.9 (1.6–9.6)
  • * Signs significantly associated with severe illnesses (p values <0.05) not included in final multivariable models; Numbers are univariate ORs with 95% CIs

  • Axillary temperature<36.0°C

  • Range of ORs for association with severe disease (sepsis, meningitis or hypoxemia)

  • YICSSG - Young Infants Clinical Signs Study Group.