Validation of advanced paediatric life support formulas for weight calculation in a multiethnic population.

Abstract

Introduction. The aims of this study were to validate the new formulas for weight calculation introduced by the advanced life support group (alsg) of the United Kingdom in 2011 and compare their performance to the formula currently used by the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) and other formulas and to check whether performance of formulas for weight calculation is affected by ethnic group and gender. Methods. Prospective audit of weight versus calculated weight comparing alsg formula with ERC, Luscombe, Argall, and Best Guess formulas analysed for gender, age, and ethnic groups. Results. Prospectively 599 children were included: 157 Asian, 268 Caucasian, and 174 children from other origin. In infants there was no difference between actual weight and alsg formula calculated weight. There was a progressively increased underestimation of weight year by year from 1 to 10 years of age using the ERC formula. In the 6-10 year age group the ERC formula underestimated the weight by a mean of 6.5 kg (21.8%, P < 0.001) with the alsg and Luscombe formulas performing best. In 11-12 year old children the alsg formula estimated well. Conclusion. In one- to ten-year-old children, the Luscombe formula provided a better weight estimate than alsg and ERC formulas in a multiethnic population.