Variable | Asthma scoring | ||
1 point | 2 points | 3 points | |
Respiratory rate (breaths/min) | |||
2–3 years | ⩽34 | 35–39 | ⩾40 |
4–5 years | ⩽30 | 31–35 | ⩾36 |
6–12 years | ⩽26 | 27–30 | ⩾31 |
>12 years | ⩽23 | 24–27 | ⩾28 |
Haemoglobin saturation | > 95% with room air | 90–95% with room air or ⩾90% with supplemental oxygen | <90% with room air or supplemental oxygen |
Auscultation | Normal breathing or end-expiratory wheezing | Expiratory wheezing | Inspiratory and expiratory wheezing, diminished breath sounds, or both |
Retractions | None or intercostal | Intercostal and substernal | Intercostal, substernal and supraclavicular |
Dyspnoea | Speaks in sentences or coos and babbles | Speaks in partial sentences or utters short cries | Speaks in single words or short phrases or grunts |
Severity of asthma | |||
Mild | Moderate | Severe | |
Asthma score | 5–7 | 8–11 | 12–15 |
*The overall asthma score (scale 5–15 points) was calculated by adding the scores for each of the following five variables: respiratory rate, haemoglobin saturation, auscultation, retractions and dyspnoea.14