Validation of weight estimation by age and length based methods in the Western Cape, South Africa population

Objective: To evaluate four paediatric weight estimation methods (APLS, Luscombe and Owens, Best Guess and Broselow tape) in order to determine which are accurate for weight estimation in South African children. Method: From a database of 2832 children aged 1-10 years seen at Red Cross Hospital in Cape Town, measured weight was compared to estimated weights from all four methods. Results: APLS formula and the Broselow Tape showed the best correlation with measured weight. Mean error was 3.3% for APLS (for 1-10-year olds) and 0.9% for Broselow tape (children <145 cm length and <35 kg). Both the Best Guess and Luscombe and Owens formulae tended to overestimate weight (15.4% and 12.4%, respectively). Conclusion: The Broselow tape and APLS estimation methods are most accurate in estimating weight in the Western Cape paediatric population, even though they have a small tendency to underestimate weight. Clinicians need to bear in mind that none of the formulae are infallible and constant reassessment and clinical judgement should be used, as well as a measured weight as soon as possible in an emergency situation.