Description

Wainwright et al used a score for measuring the degree of respiratory effort in infants with acute bronchiolitis. The authors are from multiple institutions in Queensland, Australia.


 

Patient selections: infants <= 12 months of age

 

Parameters evaluated during clinical observation:

(1) intercostal recession

(2) subcostal recession

(3) substernal recession

(4) tracheal tug

(5) nasal flaring

 

Degree

Points

none

0

mild

1

moderate

1

severe

2

 

total weighted score =

= (points for intercostal recession) + (points for subcostal recession) + (points for substernal recession) + (1.5 * (points for tracheal tug)) + (1.5 * (points for nasal flaring))

 

Interpretation:

• minimum score: 0

• maximum score: 12

• The higher the score the more severe the respiratory effort.

 

Total Score

Degree of Effort

0 to 4.9 (4)

mild

5.0 to 8.9 (8)

moderate

9.0 to 12

severe

 

where:

• I would think a total score of 0 would indicate no respiratory effort.

• The breakpoints include decimal fractions but the results are all in whole numbers.

 


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