Clinical factors associated with focal infiltrates in wheezing infants andtoddlers

It call be challenging to determine which findings are associated with foca l infiltrates in young wheezing children. A prospective study of wheezing c hildren less than or equal to 18 months of age revealed focal infiltrates o n chest radiograph in 23%. By use of multivariate analysis, findings signif icantly associated with focal infiltrates included grunting (OR 4.1, 95% CI , 2.0, 8.6) and oxygen saturation less than or equal to 93% (OR 2.2, 95% CI , 1.1, 4.8); with a sensitivity and specificity of 12.5% and 97%, respectiv ely Variables not associated with focal infiltrates included first-time whe ezing, fever; and tachypnea. The combination of grunting and oxygen saturat ion less than or equal to 93% is highly specific and can be used to help di agnose pneumonia in wheezing infants and toddlers.