Accuracy of Weight Estimation Using the Broselow Tape in a Peruvian Pediatric Population

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Emergency Medicine
• Medical Device Accuracy
• Clinical Biometrics

Background:

• The Broselow tape (BT) is a critical tool for pediatric emergency care, aiding in weight estimation and medication dosing.
• Existing accuracy studies for the BT are limited in Latin American populations.
• Assessing BT accuracy in Peru is essential for improving pediatric emergency care in the region.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the accuracy of the Broselow tape (BT) for weight estimation in a Peruvian pediatric population.
• To determine if the BT's color zones and weight estimations align with measured weights in Peruvian children.
• To identify potential discrepancies in BT performance within a Latin American context.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cross-sectional study involving 1,160 children (2-19 years) from three Peruvian outpatient clinics.
• Comparison of measured patient weights against weight and color zone data generated by the 2017 Broselow tape edition.
• Statistical analysis included mean absolute percent differences, error within 10% (EW10), and Bland-Altman plots.

Main Results:

• The Broselow tape consistently underestimated measured weights across all color zones in the Peruvian cohort.
• A significant overall underestimation (bias) of 1.60 kg was observed, with a -7.84% overall percent difference.
• Accuracy within 10% (EW10) was 62.8%, with underestimation increasing for weights exceeding 10 kg.

Conclusions:

• The Broselow tape demonstrates significant weight underestimation for Peruvian pediatric patients.
• This inaccuracy is particularly pronounced in children with higher body mass indexes.
• Underestimation poses a risk for suboptimal medication dosing and incorrect equipment sizing, potentially compromising resuscitation efforts.