Table 4

Serious bacterial infection (SBI) score for prediction of serious bacterial infection

Clinical variable		Score^*
Developmental delay	No delay	0
Developmental delay	Delay	4
Risk factor for infection	No risk factor	0
Risk factor for infection	Risk factor present	2
State variation	Eyes open	0
	Eyes close briefly	1
	Falls asleep	2
Temperature	<37.5°C	0
	37.5–38.4°C	1
	≥38.5°C	2
Capillary refill time (s)	<2	0
Capillary refill time (s)	≥2	1
Hydration status	Well hydrated	0
	Dry mucous membranes	2
	Reduced skin turgor	4
Respiratory rate	Not tachypnoeic	0
Respiratory rate	Tachypnoeic	1
Hypoxia	Not hypoxic	0
	Mild hypoxia	1
	Severe hypoxia	2

* Score indicates the sum of scores for each clinical variable (maximum score 18). Table 5 shows risks of serious bacterial infection stratified by SBI score.