Tachypnoea is a good predictor of hypoxia in acutely ill infants under 2 months

Objective-To evaluate the respiratory rate as an indicator of hypoxia in infants < 2 months of age. Setting-Pediatric emergency unit of an urban teaching hospital. Subjects-200 infants < 2 months, with symptom(s) of any acute illness. Methods-Respiratory rate (by observation method), and oxygen saturation (SaO(2)) by means of a pulse oximeter were recorded at admission. Infants were categorised by presence or absence of hypoxia (SaO(2) less than or equal to 90%). Results-The respiratory rate was greater than or equal to 50/min in 120 (60%), greater than or equal to 60/min in 101 (50.5%), and greater than or equal to 70/min in 58 (29%) infants. Hypoxia (SaO(2) less than or equal to 90%) was seen in 77 (38.5%) infants. Respiratory rate and SaO(2) showed a significant negative correlation (r = -0.39). Respiratory rate greater than or equal to 60/min predicted hypoxia with 80% sensitivity rate 80% sensitivity and 68% specificity. Conclusion-These results indicates that a respiratory rate > 60/min is a good predictor of hypoxia in infants under 2 months of age brought to the emergency service of an urban hospital for any symptom(s) of acute illness.