A clinical decision rule for triage of children under 5 years of age with hydrocarbon (kerosene) aspiration in developing countries.

BACKGROUND: Unintended hydrocarbon ingestion is a common reason for pediatric hospitalization in the developing world.

OBJECTIVE: To derive a clinical decision rule, to identify patients likely to require a higher level facility (resource-requiring cases), that can be used at primary health care facilities with limited diagnostic and therapeutic resources.

METHODS: A prospective study of children 2 to 59 months old presenting to a poison treatment facility within 2 hours of oral hydrocarbon exposure. History and objective signs were recorded at admission and at 6, 12, 24 and, if present, 48 hours. Inclusion in the resource-requiring outcome group required: oxygen saturation <94%; any CNS depression; any treatment with (salbutamol); any care in the ICU; or death.

RESULTS: 256 met the inclusion criteria and completed the study. Of these, 170 had a course requiring resources unavailable at most primary health care facilities, and 86 did not. The presence of wheezing, any alteration in consciousness (lethargy or any restlessness), or a rapid respiratory rate for age (RR >or= 50/min if age < 12 mo, >or= 40/min if age >or= 12 mo) at presentation identified 167 of 170 of these patients (sensitivity 0.98). Thirty-six of 86 patients classified as non-resource requiring were correctly identified (specificity 0.42). No combination of clinical symptoms provided better discrimination while preserving sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a triage decision rule based on the presence of wheezing, altered consciousness, or a rapid respiratory rate within 2 hours of hydrocarbon exposure. Such a rule requires validation in other settings.