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Table 4 The WHO standard of care for young children with severe pneumonia

From: Impact of systematic early tuberculosis detection using Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra in children with severe pneumonia in high tuberculosis burden countries (TB-Speed pneumonia): a stepped wedge cluster randomized trial

Care

Conditions

Antibiotics

Broad spectrum intravenous antibiotics

Oxygen therapy

If oxygen saturation < 90% or signs of hypoxia

Additional supportive care

Airway management, fever treatment, bronchodilators or steroids, fluids and nutritional support (including breastfeeding or nasogastric tube if needed)

Specific therapies for comorbidities

HIV infection, malnutrition

Chest X-ray

If possible, for children with severe pneumonia not responding to treatment or complications or unclear diagnosis or associated with HIV

Monitoring

By a nurse at least every 3 h and by a doctor at least twice a day

Follow up

If possible, 2 weeks after discharge, to check the child’s nutrition