 |
 |

Does This Infant Have Pneumonia?
Peter Margolis, MD, PhD;
Anne Gadomski, MD, MPH
JAMA. 1998;279:308-313.
Acute lower respiratory tract illness is common among children seen in primary care. We reviewed the accuracy and precision of the clinical examination in detecting pneumonia in children. Although most cases are viral, it is important to identify bacterial pneumonia to provide appropriate therapy. Studies were identified by searching MEDLINE from 1982 to 1995, reviewing reference lists, reviewing a published compendium of studies of the clinical examination, and consulting experts. Observer agreement is good for most signs on the clinical examination. Each study was reviewed by 2 observers and graded for methodologic quality. There is better agreement about signs that can be observed (eg, use of accessory muscles, color, attentiveness; , 0.48-0.66) than signs that require auscultation of the chest (eg, adventitious sounds; , 0.3). Measurements of the respiratory rate are enhanced by counting for 60 seconds. The best individual finding for ruling out pneumonia is the absence of tachypnea. Chest indrawing, and other signs of increased work of breathing, increases the likelihood of pneumonia. If all clinical signs (respiratory rate, auscultation, and work of breathing) are negative, the chest x-ray findings are unlikely to be positive. Studies are needed to assess the value of clinical findings when they are used together.
From the Division of Community Pediatrics, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Dr Margolis), and Bassett Health Care, Cooperstown, NY (Dr Gadomski).
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
 |
Pneumonia
Durbin and Stille
Pediatr. Rev. 2008;29:147-160.
FULL TEXT
Diagnosis and Management of Bronchiolitis
Subcommittee on Diagnosis and Management of Bronch
Pediatrics 2006;118:1774-1793.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Identifying Children with Pneumonia in the Emergency Department
Mahabee-Gittens et al.
CLIN PEDIATR 2005;44:427-435.
ABSTRACT
Amoxicillin for non-severe pneumonia in young children: Admission to hospital may indicate adverse effects
Borja and Rigau
BMJ 2004;328:1567-1567.
FULL TEXT
Is This Child Dehydrated?
Steiner et al.
JAMA 2004;291:2746-2754.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Tachypnea
Bloomfield and Adam
Pediatr. Rev. 2002;23:294-295.
FULL TEXT
BTS Guidelines for the Management of Community Acquired Pneumonia in Childhood
British Thoracic Society of Standards of Care Comm
Thorax 2002;57:i1-24.
FULL TEXT
Pneumonia
Gaston
Pediatr. Rev. 2002;23:132-140.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Tachypnea is a useful predictor of pneumonia in children with acute respiratory infection
Aldous
Evid. Based Med. 2000;5:152-152.
FULL TEXT
A respiratory rate of {>=}60 breaths per minute had high sensitivity for detecting hypoxia in infants
Aldous
Evid. Based Med. 2000;5:153-153.
FULL TEXT
Association of Radiologically Ascertained Pneumonia Before Age 3 yr with Asthmalike Symptoms and Pulmonary Function During Childhood . A Prospective Study
CASTRO-RODRÍGUEZ et al.
Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 1999;159:1891-1897.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Does This Infant Have Pneumonia? The Value of Chest Percussion
Alpert et al.
JAMA 1998;280:134-134.
FULL TEXT
Clinical Diagnosis of Pediatric Pneumonia
JWatch Emergency Med. 1998;1998:14-14.
FULL TEXT
|