• Laura D Elgie.
• Department of Anaesthesia, Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK. lkotseroglou@doctors.org.uk
• Eur J Emerg Med. 2012 Oct 1;19(5):338-40.

AimTo study formulae that estimate children's weight using their actual age.ObjectiveTo determine whether using the age on their clothes size label in these formulae can estimate weight when their actual age is unknown.MethodsThe actual age and age on the clothes labels of 188 children were inserted into formulae that estimate children's weight. These estimates were compared with their actual weight. Bland-Altman plots calculated the precision and accuracy of each of these estimates.ResultsIn all formulae, using age on the clothes sizes label provided a more precise estimate than the child's actual age.ConclusionIn emergencies where a child's age is unknown, use of the age on their clothes label in weight-estimating formulae yields acceptable weight estimates. Even in situations where a child's age is known, the age on their clothes label may provide a more accurate and precise weight estimate than the actual age.

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