title: The agreement of fingertip and sternum capillary refill time in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the agreement of fingertip and sternum capillary refill time (CRT) in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, method-comparison study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single children's emergency department, UK PARTICIPANTS: 92 children aged 0-12 years, with clinical observations within normal ranges for their age, no relevant medical history and presenting to hospital with a minor illness or injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Agreement between fingertip and sternum CRT measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fingertip CRT ranged from 0.05 to 2.78 s with a mean of 1.08±0.44 and sternum CRT ranged from 0.85 to 2.38 s with a mean of 1.5±0.33. There was a significant difference between fingertip and sternum CRT (t=-9.2, df=91, p=<0.001) and a weak association between the two measurements (r=0.18, p=0.9). A Bland Altman comparison showed the mean difference between fingertip and sternum CRT was -0.49±0.51 with an upper and lower limit of agreement ranging from -1.5 (95% CI -1.69 to -1.32) to 0.53 (95% CI 0.34 to 0.71).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Measurements of CRT taken at the fingertip and sternum are not comparable. Fingertip CRT was faster than sternum CRT. Normal CRT is 2-3 s. The current study questions the usefulness of CRT in the assessment of circulation in children.
authors: Paediatric Department, Gibraltar Health Authority, Rainbow ward, St Bernards Hospital, Europort Avenue, Gibraltar, Gibraltar. Jodie.crook@gha.gi
authors: Jodie
authors: J
authors: Crook
authors: Rachel M
authors: RM
authors: Taylor
mesh_terms: D002196:Capillaries / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D013249:Sternum / Q000098:blood supply*; D013997:Time Factors