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Updated: Dec 27, 2025
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Development and validation of a weight estimation tool for paediatric emergency care
Sendoa Ballesteros-Peña1, Irrintzi Fernández-Aedo2, Gorka Vallejo-De la Hoz3
1Organización Sanitaria Integrada Bilbao-Basurto, Bilbao, Bizkaia, España; Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, España; Facultad de Medicina y Enfermería, Universidad del País Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea, Leioa, Bizkaia, España.
Insights
New Bilbao Formulas accurately estimate children's weight in emergency settings. These predictive tools offer a valid alternative to traditional age-based methods for paediatric care.
Area of Science:
- Paediatric Emergency Medicine
- Biostatistics
- Anthropometry
Background:
- Accurate weight estimation is crucial for paediatric emergency care, particularly when actual weight is unknown.
- Existing weight estimation formulas often lack precision, potentially impacting treatment efficacy and patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate novel weight estimation formulas for children in emergency settings.
- To compare the accuracy of the developed formulas against existing methods.
Main Methods:
- Linear regression models were developed using anthropometric data from over 15,000 children.
- The predictive formulas were prospectively validated on a separate cohort of nearly 800 children in emergency departments.
- Statistical analysis included intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and mean difference calculations.
Main Results:
- The developed "Bilbao Formulas" demonstrated high accuracy, with an ICC of 0.93.
- Estimations fell within 10% of actual weight for 62.2% of children and within 20% for 93.1%.
- Bilbao Formulas outperformed traditional age-based weight estimation methods.
Conclusions:
- The Bilbao Formulas provide a valid and accurate tool for estimating paediatric weight in emergency departments.
- These formulas offer improved predictive accuracy compared to commonly used age-based estimations.
- Implementation of Bilbao Formulas can enhance the precision of weight-based medical interventions in paediatric emergencies.
Objective:
To develop and validate a weight estimation tool applicable in paediatric emergency care.
Methods:
Using anthropometric data from a computerized database of the primary health care paediatric services, Bilbao (Basque Country, Spain), linear regression models were developed with the objective of estimating weight from height. Subsequently, these models were prospectively validated using a consecutive sample of children attended in the emergency department of two tertiary hospitals. Estimated weights were compared with actual weights, calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), mean difference and percentages of estimations falling within 10% and 20% of the actual weight.
Results:
Using anthropometric data from 15522 children two weight predictive formulas were developed (Bilbao Formulas). The formulas were validated on a sample of 780 children and estimated weight values with a high degree of intraclass correlation with the real weight (ICC=.93, P<.001) and a mean difference of .63 (SD: 4.3). The percentages of estimations falling within 10% and 20% of the actual weight of the child was 62.2% (95% CI: 58.7-65.6) and 93.1% (95% CI: 91.1-94.8), respectively. Weight estimations were more accurate using Bilbao Formulas than other classical formulas.
Conclusions:
Bilbao Formulas would be a valid tool for estimating weight in children in the emergency department and predict weight more accurately than other more commonly used age-based formulas.
