Skip to main content
. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2014 May 22.
Published in final edited form as: Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2013 May;107(5):285–292. doi: 10.1093/trstmh/trt017
WHO pneumonia classification
 Non-severe

  • Cough or difficulty breathing

  • Fast breathing for age

  • No signs or symptoms of severe or very severe pneumonia

 Severe

  • Cough or difficulty breathing

  • Lower chest wall indrawing

  • No signs or symptoms of very severe pneumonia

 Very severe

  • Cough or difficulty breathing

  • One of the following signs or symptoms:

    1. Central cyanosis

    2. Inability to breastfeed or drink

    3. Vomiting all oral intake

    4. Presence or history of convulsions during this illness

    5. Severe respiratory distress

    6. Grunting

WHO clinical oxygen eligibility criteria
 Age <5 years with any one of the following signs:

  • Central cyanosis

  • Inability to breastfeed or drink

  • Severe lower chest wall indrawing

  • Respiratory rate ≥70 breaths per min

  • Grunting in infants <2 months old

  • Head nodding

  • Very severe pneumonia classification