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Tachypnoea is a good predictor of hypoxia in acutely ill infants under 2 months
  1. V T Rajesha,
  2. Sunit Singhia,
  3. Sudha Katariab
  1. aDepartment of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India, bDepartment of Radiodiagnosis, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research
  1. Dr Singhi email: medinst{at}pgi.chd.nic.in

Abstract

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 (SaO2) by means of a pulse oximeter were recorded at admission. Infants were categorised by presence or absence of hypoxia (SaO2⩽ 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 (SaO2 ⩽ 90%) was seen in 77 (38.5%) infants. Respiratory rate and SaO2 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.

  • tachypnoea
  • hypoxia
  • respiratory rate
  • oxygen saturation
  • acutely ill infants

https://doi.org/10.1136/adc.82.1.46

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