Marker of severity | Definition |
---|---|
Prostration | • Inability to perform a previously-acquired motor function: |
 |    - Inability to stand in a child previously able to do so |
 |    - Inability to sit in a child previously able to do so |
 |    - Inability to suck in a very young child |
Blantyre score ≤2 | • Conscious level scored (0-5) using the Blantyre coma scale [27]. Determined by adding the scores for: |
 |    - Best motor response (scored 0-2) |
 |    - Best verbal response (scored 0-2) |
 |    - Eye movement (scored 0-1) |
Seizures, 2 or more | • Number of seizures occurring in the total time period including 24 h before admission, the emergency room and hospitalization |
Respiratory distress | • Lower chest wall in-drawing or abnormally deep breathing |
Hypoglycaemia | • Blood glucose <2.2 mmol/L |
Metabolic acidosis | • Base excess ≤-10.0 mmol/L |
Lactic acidaemia | • Lactate ≥5.0 mmol/L |
Severe anaemia | • Haemoglobin <5.0 g/dL |