title: The Percentage of Error of Different Weight Estimation Methods toward Actual Weight in Children Admitted to 17 Shahrivar Hospital.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In pediatric resuscitation, it is necessary to distinguish the weight in order to provide proper doses of drugs, equipment selection, and ventilator settings, therefore, access to a simple, unbiased, and accurate formula can decrease mistakes. The aim of this study is to determine the percentage of error (PE) of different weight estimation methods toward actual weight in children admitted to 17 Shahrivar Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on 1-10 years children admitted in the pediatric clinic of 17 Shahrivar Hospital in Rasht. Data were collected by a checklist, including age, sex, height and mid-arm circumference (MAC). Investigators compared estimated weight by ten different methods with the actual weight. Finally, clinicians measured the PE and data were analyzed in SPSS software version.18.
  
  
  RESULTS
  About 50.9% of participants were male. The mean age was 4.59 ± 3.35 years and the mean weight was 17.4 ± 5.69 (6.5-45) kg. Results showed no significant difference between the estimated weight and the actual one based on visual expert estimation and advanced pediatric life support (APLS) method. Visual estimation (0.017%) and MAC (25.48%) noted the lowest and highest PE, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results indicated a significant difference between the estimated weight and the actual one based on visual expert's estimation and APLS method. As, these methods were easy, rapid and accurate for body weight estimation in emergencies and may be more accurate than parent's estimation, it seems that it could be helpful for prescribing medication dosage and equipment sizes.
authors: Pediatrics Growth Disorders Research Center, 17 Shahrivar Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
authors: Hamidreza
authors: H
authors: Badeli
authors: Pediatrics Growth Disorders Research Center, 17 Shahrivar Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
authors: Houman
authors: H
authors: Hashemian
authors: Pediatrics Growth Disorders Research Center, 17 Shahrivar Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
authors: Nima
authors: N
authors: Nazari
authors: Pediatrics Growth Disorders Research Center, 17 Shahrivar Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
authors: Afagh Hassanzadeh
authors: AH
authors: Rad
keywords: Body weight; child; emergencies; error; estimation