Tal et al reported a clinical score for evaluating the severity of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in an infant. The authors are from Soroka Uiversity and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel.
Patient selection: infant with RSV
Parameters:
(1) respiratory rate in breaths per minute
(2) wheezing
(3) cyanosis
(4) accessory respiratory muscle use
Parameter
Finding
Points
respiratory rate
<= 30 breaths per minute
0
31 to 45
1
46 to 60
2
> 60 breaths per minute
3
wheezing
none
0
terminal expiration on auscultation
1
entire cycle on auscultation
2
entire cycle without stethoscope
3
cyanosis
none
0
circumoral when crying
1
circumoral at rest
2
generalized at rest
3
accessory muscle
none
0
borderline/slight
1
moderate
2
marked
3
total score =
= SUM(points for all of the parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 12
• The higher the score the more severe the infection.
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