Pediatric asthma severity score is associated with critical care interventions

Table 1 Pediatric asthma severity score calculation table

Score	1	2	3
Respiratory rate
2 to 3 yr	≤ 34	35 to 39	≥ 40
4 to 5 yr	≤ 30	31 to 35	≥ 36
6 to 12 yr	≤ 26	27 to 30	≥ 31
Older than 12 yr	≤ 23	24 to 27	≥ 28
Oxygen	> 90% on room air	85%-90% on room air	< 85% on room air
requirements
Auscultation	Normal breath sounds or end-expiratory wheeze only	Expiratory wheezing	Inspiratory and expiratory wheezing or diminished breath sounds
Retractions	≤ One site	Two sites	≥ Three sites
Dyspnea	Speaks in sentences, coos and babbles	Speaks in partial sentences, short cry	Speaks in single words/short phrases/grunting

Table 2 Demographic information

Characteristic	Subgroup	Total n (%)	Mild n (%)	Moderate n (%)	Severe n (%)	P value
Gender	Male	112 (59.6)	26 (65.0)	68 (58.1)	18 (58.1)	0.18
	Female	76 (40.4)	14 (35.0)	49 (41.9)	13 (41.9)
Race/ethnicity	Caucasian	44 (23.4)	5 (12.5)	29 (24.8)	10 (32.3)	0.18
	African American	130 (69.1)	33 (82.5)	79 (67.5)	18 (58.1)
	Hispanic	10 (5.3)	2 (5.0)	7 (6.0)	1 (3.2)
	Other	4 (2.1)	0 (0)	2 (1.7)	2 (6.4)
Asthma history	Uses controller medication	137 (72.9)	35 (87.5)	78 (66.7)	24 (77.4)	0.03
	Patient in high risk asthma clinic	61 (32.4)	16 (40.0)	33 (28.2)	12 (38.7)	0.25

Table 3 Medication usage by each severity group

Medication	Total received all groups (%)	Mild compromise number received (%)	Moderate compromise number received (%)	Severe compromise number received (%)	P value
Systemic steroids	187 (99.5)	40 (100)	116 (99.1)	31 (100)	0.737
Magnesium sulfate	126 (67.0)	26 (65)	77 (65.8)	23 (74.1)	0.646
Aminophylline	4 (2.1)	0	0	4 (12.9)	< 0.001
Terbutaline	4 (2.1)	0	2 (1.7)	2 (6.5)	0.155
Scheduled ipratropium	146 (77.7)	21 (55.3)	100 (86.2)	25 (83.3)	< 0.001
Continuous albuterol > 6 h	139 (73.9)	23 (57.5)	88 (75.2)	28 (90.3)	0.007

Total n (%) reported per severity group, P value obtained from extend fisher exact or χ² where appropriate.

Table 4 Respiratory support required for each severity group

Respiratory support	Mild	Moderate	Severe	Pearson χ2
High flow nasal cannula	1 (2.6)	4 (3.4)	1 (3.2)	0.96
Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation	0	2 (1.7)	4 (12.9)	0.003
Invasive mechanical ventilation	0	0	1(3.2)	0.078

Breakdown of respiratory support required in each severity group, total n (%) reported, P value obtained from extended fisher exact.