Laura D Elgie1, Andrew R Williams. 1. Department of Anaesthesia, Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK. lkotseroglou@doctors.org.uk
Abstract
AIM: To study formulae that estimate children's weight using their actual age. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether using the age on their clothes size label in these formulae can estimate weight when their actual age is unknown. METHODS: The actual age and age on the clothes labels of 188 children were inserted into formulae that estimate children's weight. These estimates were compared with their actual weight. Bland-Altman plots calculated the precision and accuracy of each of these estimates. RESULTS: In all formulae, using age on the clothes sizes label provided a more precise estimate than the child's actual age. CONCLUSION: In emergencies where a child's age is unknown, use of the age on their clothes label in weight-estimating formulae yields acceptable weight estimates. Even in situations where a child's age is known, the age on their clothes label may provide a more accurate and precise weight estimate than the actual age.
AIM: To study formulae that estimate children's weight using their actual age. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether using the age on their clothes size label in these formulae can estimate weight when their actual age is unknown. METHODS: The actual age and age on the clothes labels of 188 children were inserted into formulae that estimate children's weight. These estimates were compared with their actual weight. Bland-Altman plots calculated the precision and accuracy of each of these estimates. RESULTS: In all formulae, using age on the clothes sizes label provided a more precise estimate than the child's actual age. CONCLUSION: In emergencies where a child's age is unknown, use of the age on their clothes label in weight-estimating formulae yields acceptable weight estimates. Even in situations where a child's age is known, the age on their clothes label may provide a more accurate and precise weight estimate than the actual age.