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Is the APLS formula used to calculate weight-for-age applicable to a Trinidadian population?

Khalid Ali1, Ian Sammy, Paula Nunes

  • 1Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Champs Fleurs, Trinidad, West Indies.

BMC Emergency Medicine
|August 4, 2012
PubMed

Insights

The APLS formula slightly underestimates children's weight in Trinidad, but remains recommended for paediatric resuscitation due to its familiarity and ease of use. Other formulas offer better estimates but show no significant accuracy difference.

Area of Science:

  • Paediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Clinical Paediatrics
  • Medical Calculations

Background:

  • Accurate weight estimation is crucial for drug and fluid dosing in paediatric emergency medicine.
  • The APLS (Advanced Paediatric Life Support) weight estimation formula is widely used but may underestimate children's weight.
  • The APLS formula's validity in Trinidad and Tobago for paediatric resuscitation has not been previously established.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the accuracy of the APLS weight estimation formula in children aged one to five years in Trinidad.
  • To compare the APLS formula with the Luscombe and Owens formula and a newly derived linear regression formula.
  • To determine the most appropriate weight estimation formula for paediatric resuscitation in Trinidad.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study was conducted over six weeks in January 2009.
  • Measured weights of children aged one to five years presenting to the Emergency Department were recorded.
  • Measured weights were compared against estimated weights from the APLS formula, Luscombe and Owens formula, and a derived linear regression formula.

Main Results:

  • The APLS formula underestimated weight, with a mean difference of -1.4 kg.
  • The Luscombe and Owens formula showed a smaller underestimation, with a mean difference of -0.4 kg.
  • A derived formula (weight = [2.5 x age] + 8) provided the best fit, but all formulas had non-significantly different accuracy and precision.

Conclusions:

  • The APLS formula slightly underestimates children's weights in Trinidad, less so than in developed countries.
  • The Luscombe and Owens and derived formulas offer better weight estimates for children in Trinidad.
  • Despite better estimates from other formulas, the APLS formula is recommended for continued use in Trinidad due to its established recognition and simplicity.
Abstract

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