Definitions of infectious episodes in infancy
| Infection | Criteria for diagnosis, comments |
|---|---|
| Acute otitis media (AOM) | Compatible clinical presentation (presence of fever, restlessness, irritability/lethargy or otorrhoea) and confirmation of AOM by a physician17 |
| Acute lower respiratory tract infection | Based on both clinical presentation and diagnosis by a physician (pneumonia, bronchiolitis and croup)8 |
| Acute upper respiratory tract infection | At least one of the following (after excluding infants with AOM or lower respiratory tract infection): (i) presence of at least two of the following symptoms for at least 2 days: axillary temperature ≥38.0°C, rhinorrhoea, cough or fast breathing; or (ii) compatible physician diagnosis8 |
| Gastroenteritis | At least one of the following: (i) presence of at least two of the following symptoms for at least 2 days: axillary temperature ≥38.0°C, increased frequency of stools, loose stools or vomiting; or (ii) physician diagnosis of gastroenteritis.8 Particular attention was given to distinguishing vomiting from regurgitation |
| Urinary tract infection | Based both on diagnosis by a physician and appropriate culture.18 In the study area, infantile circumcision is extremely rare |
| Thrush | Compatible clinical manifestations and confirmation by a physician |
| Conjunctivitis | Compatible clinical manifestations and confirmation by a physician |