title: Evaluation of three paediatric weight estimation methods in Singapore.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Rapid paediatric weight estimation methods in the emergency setting have not been evaluated for South East Asian children. This study aims to assess the accuracy and precision of three such methods in Singapore children: Broselow-Luten (BL) tape, Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS) (estimated weight (kg) = 2 (age + 4)) and Luscombe (estimated weight (kg) = 3 (age) + 7) formulae.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited 875 patients aged 1-10 years in a Paediatric Emergency Department in Singapore over a 2-month period. For each patient, true weight and height were determined. True height was cross-referenced to the BL tape markings and used to derive estimated weight (virtual BL tape method), while patient's round-down age (in years) was used to derive estimated weights using APLS and Luscombe formulae, respectively. The percentage difference between the true and estimated weights was calculated. For each method, the bias and extent of agreement were quantified using Bland-Altman method (mean percentage difference (MPD) and 95% limits of agreement (LOA)). The proportion of weight estimates within 10% of true weight (p₁₀) was determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The BL tape method marginally underestimated weights (MPD +0.6%; 95% LOA -26.8% to +28.1%; p₁₀ 58.9%). The APLS formula underestimated weights (MPD +7.6%; 95% LOA -26.5% to +41.7%; p₁₀ 45.7%). The Luscombe formula overestimated weights (MPD -7.4%; 95% LOA -51.0% to +36.2%; p₁₀ 37.7%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Of the three methods we evaluated, the BL tape method provided the most accurate and precise weight estimation for Singapore children. The APLS and Luscombe formulae underestimated and overestimated the children's weights, respectively, and were considerably less precise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore. loopeiying@yahoo.com.sg
authors.forename: Pei Ying
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Loo
authors.forename: Shu-Ling
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.forename: Ngee
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lek
authors.forename: Dianne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bautista
authors.forename: Kee Chong
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Ng
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods*; D012846:Singapore; D013223:Statistics as Topic