Do Clothing Labels Play a Role for Weight Estimation in Pediatric Emergencies? A Prospective, Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the usability of the age value listed on the labels on children's clothes in the age-based weight estimation method recommended by the Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) guidelines.

Material-method: This prospective, cross-sectional study was organized in Antalya Training and Research Hospital Emergency Department. Children aged between 1-12 years were included in the study. The weight measurements of the children were obtained based on the age-related criteria on the labels of their clothes. The estimated values were compared with the real values of the cases measured on the scale.

Results: One-thousand ninety-four cases were included, the mean age of cases in age-based measurements was 6.25 years, which was 6.5 years in label-based measurements. Average weights measured 25.75kg according to age-based measurements, 26.5kg according to label-based measurements, and 26.0kg on the scales, and showed no statistical difference (P <.0001). It was estimated that 741 (67.7%) of age-based measurements and 775 (70.8%) of label-based measurements were within (±)10% values within the normal measurement limits and no significant difference was measured.

Conclusion: In the emergency department and prehospital setting, children with an unknown age and that need resuscitation and interventional procedures for stabilization, and have no time for weight estimation, checking the age on clothing label (ACL) instead of the actual age (AA) can be safely used for the age-dependent weight calculation formula recommended by the PALS guide.

Keywords: PALS; clothing label; pediatric weight estimation; weight estimation.