Tachypnoea is a good predictor of hypoxia in acutely ill infants under 2 months.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the respiratory rate as an indicator of hypoxia in infants < 2 months of age.


METHODS
Pediatric emergency unit of an urban teaching hospital.


METHODS
200 infants < 2 months, with symptom(s) of any acute illness.


METHODS
Respiratory rate (by observation method), and oxygen saturation (SaO(2)) by means of a pulse oximeter were recorded at admission. Infants were categorised by presence or absence of hypoxia (SaO(2) </= 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 (SaO(2) </= 90%) was seen in 77 (38.5%) infants. Respiratory rate and SaO(2) showed a significant negative correlation (r = -0.39). Respiratory rate >/= 60/min predicted hypoxia with 80% sensitivity and 68% specificity.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Rajesh
V T
VT
Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India.
Singhi
S
S
Kataria
S
S
D000208:Acute Disease; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010313:Partial Pressure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D010100:Oxygen