Bibliographic Info
GuidelineRecommendations for management of common childhood conditions : evidence for technical update of pocket book recommendations : newborn conditions, dysentery, pneumonia, oxygen use and delivery, common causes of fever, severe acute malnutrition and supportive care
Year of Publication2012
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Recommendation
Status
Updated
Recommended in favor
Strong
Certainty of evidence
Low
Use pulse oximetry wherever possible for the detection of hypoxaemia in children with severe, lower respiratory infections. If oximetry is not available, then the following clinical signs could be used to guide the need for oxygen therapy: — central cyanosis — nasal flaring — inability to drink or feed (where this is due to respiratory distress) — grunting with every breath — depressed mental state (i.e. drowsy, lethargic)