WHO/IMCI pneumonia classification in children
Paediatrics
Also known as: WHO-Einteilung der Pneumonie bei Kindern (IMCI) · DSÖ çocuk pnömoni sınıflaması (IMCI) · WHO classification of pneumonia in children aged 2–59 months
What it is for
WHO classifies a child aged 2–59 months with cough or difficult breathing into three categories by clinical signs (World Health Organization; Integrated Management of Childhood Illness, IMCI).
Classification
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Fast breathing | 50 breaths/min or more at 2–11 months; 40 breaths/min or more at 1–5 years. |
| Severe pneumonia | any of: oxygen saturation below 90 % or central cyanosis; severe respiratory distress (e.g. grunting, very severe chest indrawing); signs of pneumonia with a general danger sign (unable to breastfeed or drink, lethargy or reduced consciousness, convulsions). |
| Pneumonia | fast breathing and/or lower chest wall indrawing, without signs of severe pneumonia. |
| No pneumonia (cough or cold) | none of the signs above. |
Source
Pocket book of hospital care for children: guidelines for the management of common childhood illnesses, 2nd edition
WHO · World Health Organization, Geneva 2013 (ISBN 978 92 4 154837 3)
- Edition
- WHO revised classification (2014) as in the WHO Pocket Book of Hospital Care for Children, 2nd edition 2013
- Checked on
Summary of the published classification in our own words. Not a substitute for the original publication.
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