Clinical signs predicting severe illness in young infants (60 days) in Bolivia

摘要

Identification of simple signs and symptoms that predict severe illness needing referral for admission of young infants is critical for reducing mortality in developing countries. Infants 35% for measured temperature ≥37.5°C (65%); all signs had specificity >85%. Odds ratios (ORs) for association of individual clinical signs with need for urgent hospital management were highest (>5) for history of difficulty feeding, not feeding well and fever. Clinical signs or symptoms are useful for primary healthcare workers to identify young infants with serious illness needing admission, and have been incorporated into the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness algorithm for use in Bolivia and elsewhere in Latin America.