| 1 |
Feeding intolerance |
No |
Mild Decreased appetite (the child did not eat the same as normally) and/or presented isolated vomits with or without cough. |
Partial Frequent vomits with cough, but the child does not vomit with every intake. Feeding exhausts the child. |
Total Child is unable to feed him/herself. The use of a nasogastric tube or parenteral nutrition was required. |
| 2 |
Medical intervention |
No |
Basic The child’s respiratory secretions required removal, he or she was explored by a physician or received sporadically nebulized medication. Antipyretics were administered. |
IntermediateThe child required oxygen therapy, underwent a chest X-ray exploration, or a blood sample was extracted. Treatment with nebulized drugs was given regularly. |
High The child required respiratory support with a machine. Respiratory support was given through a special mask applied on the nose or mouth or resting on the child’s face, or through an endotracheal tube. |
| 3 |
Respiratory difficulty |
No |
Mild The child was not breathing normally, but he/she does not seem to have any difficulty when drawing air. |
Moderate The child made an effort for breathing. Respiratory noises can be heard without the need of a stethoscope (just approaching the ear to his or her chest). |
Severe Respiratory effort was obvious. The child made important movement of his/her chest, the chest even collapses with every movement, and muscles of neck and belly were used. A lot of respiratory noise was heard without approaching the ear to the child’s chest. |
| 4 |
Respiratory frequency |
Normal |
Mild or occasional tachypnea The child breathed more rapidly, but the situation was well tolerated, or the respiratory frequency was normalized after removing secretions from respiratory airways or administering nebulized medication. |
Prolonged or recurrent tachypnea The child breathed more rapidly in a more persistent manner, even after receiving nebulized medication or removing secretions from respiratory tract. |
Severe alteration The child breathed quickly and superficially, or really deeply. The child was agitated or drowsy. Orientative rates of severe tachypnea: |
| 5 |
Apnea |
No |
|
|
Yes The child stopped breathing. It may have been necessary to stimulate him/her in order to regain normal breathing rate. |
| 6 |
General Condition |
Normal |
Mild Child did not seem the same as always, but there did not seem to be anything to worry about. |
Moderate Child looked ill, and medical examination was required, but it did not feel like a life-threatening situation. |
Severe Child was agitated, apathetic,and/or lethargic. He/she required urgent medical attention. There was no need to be a doctor to see that the clinical situation of the child is worrying. |
| 7 |
Fever |
No |
Yes, mild Rectal or tympanic temperature < 38.5°C, or axillar temperature < 38°C |
Yes, moderate Rectal or tympanic temperature > 38.5°C, or axillar temperature > 38°C |
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