title: An index of severity for acute pediatric illness.
abstract: A study population of 1,106 patients presenting to a pediatric emergency room for care of acute non-traumatic illness were prospectively assessed to determine what clinical manifestations and/or functional status indicators predicted the severity of their illnesses. From these data, a "Severity Index" was developed using a 0-1-2 point score for the five most significant predictors to give a maximum score of 10 points. The predictor variables include respiratory effort, skin color, activity, temperature, and ability to play. The index has a predictive accuracy for non-severe illness of 98.7 per cent with only 1.3 per cent false negative predictions. In predicting major illness, a false positive prediction rate of 15.8 per cent was obtained. The index appears valid both across and within diagnostic categories.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003237:Connecticut; D003657:Decision Making; D003933:Diagnosis; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D010372:Pediatrics; D011446:Prospective Studies