Table 6.

Comparison of current Kenyan IMCI referral criteria, revised WHO criteria and proposed criteria based on studies included in this review

Current Kenyan IMCI referral criteria 5	Revised WHO IMCI referral criteria 20	Proposed referral criteria based on studies included in this review 4, 6 ,11–13
Not able to feed or breastfeed	Not feeding well	History of feeding difficulty
Convulsions or convulsing now	Convulsions	History of convulsions
Fast breathing (60 bpm or more)	Fast breathing (60 bpm or more)	Fast breathing (respiratory rate ≥60 bpm)
Severe chest indrawing	Severe chest indrawing	Severe chest indrawing
Fever (≥37.5°C* or feels hot) or low body temperature (<35.5°C* or feels cold)	Fever (≥37.5°C*) or low body temperature (<35.5°C*)	Temperature (axillary) ≥37.5°C or <35.5°C
No movements even when stimulated	Movement only when stimulated or no movement at all	Change in level of activity
Grunting or wheezing	–	Grunting
Central cyanosis	–	Cyanosis
Gasping	–	–
Not breathing at all even when stimulated	–	–
Respiratory rate less than 20 bpm	–	–
Nasal flaring		–
Bulging fontanelle	–	–
Pus draining from the ear	–	–
Drowsy (lethargic) or unconscious	–	–

^*Axillary temperature

bpm, breaths per minute.