title: Comparison of the finger counting method, the Broselow tape and common weight estimation formulae in Filipino children after Typhoon Haiyan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to evaluate commonly used paediatric weight estimation techniques in a sample of children in the Philippines.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively collected age, height and weight data for a sample of 207 children aged 1-9 years seen during a medical aid trip. Weights were estimated using the finger counting method, the Broselow method and four formulae. Bland-Altman analysis was performed to evaluate agreement with measured weight.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean difference and range of agreement in kilograms were as follows: 0.6 (95% CI 0.1-1.1) and 14.9 (95% CI 13.1-16.7) for the Broselow method; 1.1 (95% CI 0.5-1.7) and 17.3 (95% CI 15.2-19.3) for the traditional APLS formula; 3.1 (95% CI 2.4-3.7) and 18.6 (95% CI 16.4-20.8) for the finger counting method; 4.0 (95% CI 3.2-4.8) and 23.1 (95% CI 20.3-25.8) for the updated APLS method; 5.1 (95% CI 4.4-5.8) and 21.1 (95% CI 18.6-23.6) for the Luscombe formula; and 5.3 (95% CI 4.5-6.1) and 22.5 (95% CI 20-25.2) for the Best Guess formulae.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Broselow tape and the traditional APLS formula performed best in our sample. The finger counting method also outperformed newer weight estimation formulae. 'Updated' age-based formulae created recently in developed countries should not be used in disaster relief efforts in the Philippines. Caution should be used when applying these formulae to other developing countries and in disaster response.
authors.affiliation: Division of Paediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Loma Linda University Medical Center and Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: Division of Paediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Loma Linda University Medical Center and Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Washington
authors.affiliation: Division of Paediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Loma Linda University Medical Center and Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Flanery
authors.affiliation: Division of Paediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Loma Linda University Medical Center and Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Mindi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guptill
authors.affiliation: Division of Paediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Loma Linda University Medical Center and Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Ellen T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Reibling
authors.affiliation: Division of Paediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Loma Linda University Medical Center and Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Lance
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Division of Paediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Loma Linda University Medical Center and Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Besh
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Barcega
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods*; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055867:Cyclonic Storms; D003906:Developing Countries; D004190:Disasters; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods*; D010679:Philippines; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis
keywords: finger counting method; paediatrics; weight estimation