The diagnostic value of various features for acute lower respiratory infection among under fives.

One hundred and fifty children aged between 5 months and 5 years with cough of less than 2 weeks duration, and presenting at the paediatric filter clinic and paediatric observation ward of the Kenyatta National Hospital between July and December 1985 were each evaluated by a complete history, physical examination, and a chest X-ray. Ninety of them (or 60%) had radiological evidence of pneumonia. Respiratory rate of over 50 per minute, chest indrawing, flaring of alae nasae, and a history of rapid breathing were found to be valuable indicators of pneumonia.