Head nodding predicts mortality in young hypoxaemic papua new guinean children with acute lower respiratory tract infection

摘要

In children under 5 years of age in developing countries, acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRI) is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity [1]. In these children, hypoxaemia increases the risk of death >4-fold [2]. Consequently, many studies have attempted to correlate clinical signs of ALRI such as cyanosis, chest recession, fast breathing, grunting, nasal flaring and head nodding, with hypoxaemia [3-5]. However, none of these clinical signs has been shown to clearly distinguish hypoxaemic from non-hypoxaemic children. Though most of these signs are well documented, head nodding is a sign that has not been widely studied. Head nodding refers to head movements that are synchronous with each breath due to contractions of accessory muscles of respiration, and indicates severe respiratory distress [6].