Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of 2188 children with non-severe pneumonia randomised to 3 days or 5 days of treatment with amoxicillin. Values are numbers (percentages) of patients unless stated otherwise
| Characteristic | 3 day treatment (n=1095) | 5 day treatment (n=1093) |
|---|---|---|
| Mean (SD) age (months) | 17.0 (13.3) | 16.9 (13.0) |
| Mean (SD) height (cm) | 74.8 (10.98) | 74.8 (10.75) |
| Mean (SD) weight (kg) | 8.7 (2.49) | 8.7 (2.4) |
| Mean (SD) duration of illness (days) | 4.7 (3.43) | 4.5 (3.12) |
| Mean (SD) temperature (°C) | 37.1 (0.66) | 37.2 (0.67) |
| Mean (SD) respiratory rate (breaths/minute): | ||
| 2-11 months old | 56.4 (5.02) | 56.0 (4.54) |
| 12-59 months old | 47.3 (5.58) | 47.9 (6.1) |
| Male | 685 (62.6) | 676 (61.8) |
| Age (months): | ||
| 2-11 | 479 (43.7) | 475 (43.5) |
| 12-59 | 616 (56.3) | 618 (56.5) |
| Weight for height z score*: | ||
| −2 to −1 | 300 (27.4) | 303 (27.7) |
| −3 to −2 | 188 (17.2) | 183 (16.7) |
| Duration of illness (days): | ||
| <3 | 538 (49.1) | 540 (49.4) |
| ≥3 | 557 (50.9) | 553 (50.6) |
| Fever | 833 (76.1) | 850 (77.8) |
| Cough | 1081 (98.7) | 1078 (98.6) |
| Difficulty in breathing | 417 (38.1) | 387 (35.4) |
| Vomiting | 135 (12.3) | 141 (12.9) |
| Diarrhoea | 71 (6.5) | 55 (5.0) |
| Excess respiratory rate (breaths/minute)†: | ||
| ≤10 | 903 (82.5) | 881 (80.6) |
| >10 | 192 (17.5) | 212 (19.4) |
| Wheeze present | 140 (12.8) | 147 (13.4) |
| Adherence to treatment: | ||
| At day 3 | 1031 (94.2) | 1026 (93.9) |
| At day 5 | 937 (85.6) | 928 (84.9) |
| RSV positive | 252 (23.0) | 261 (23.9) |
RSV=respiratory syncytial virus.
*
Z score given as number of standard deviations from normal value.
†
Rate above the age specific cut off.