Algorithm of Mogensen et al for Diagnosing Anemia in a Small Child in an Area of Rural Tanzania Endemic for Malaria

 

Patient selection: child 6 to 36 months old in a region endemic for malaria (Pl. falciparum)

 

Outcome: severe anemia (hematocrit <= 20%)

 

The child was predicted to have severe anemia if both of the following are present:

(1) pallor

(2) at least one of the following:

(2a) respiratory rate > 55 breaths per minute

(2b) number of days with fever during the past week > 3 (temperature cutoff not given)

 

Palpable splenomegaly was also associated with severe anemia.

 

Performance:

• The sensitivity was 96% and specificity 71%.