Pediatric Advanced Life Support Tape for Indian Children

Recently, a group of researchers developed an advanced life support (ALS) tape tailored to Indian children, using data from a multicenter study on height/length and weight to more accurately estimate weight based on recumbent length. They maintained the same color codes as the Broselow tape in their new design. To test its accuracy, they compared weight estimates from the new ALS tape with Broselow tape estimates at a tertiary care hospital. The researchers found:

• The color (weight) band matched median heights (cm) from the new ALS tape were higher than the Broselow tape. 
• For every color band on the ALS tape, a significant number of children recorded a higher Broselow color band, indicating overestimated weights at each color band. 
• The percentage difference in the estimated weight from the actual weight was minimal (-0.5% for under-5 years and - 0.2% for older children) using the new ALS tape as compared to the Broselow tape.

The newly designed ALS tape offers more accurate weight estimates for Indian children and could help reduce errors in calculating emergency medications, fluids, and equipment sizes. Further research is needed to validate its use in pediatric emergency settings across India.

Khadilkar V, Lad S, Mondkar S, et al. Pediatric Advanced Life Support Tape for Indian Children. Indian Pediatrics.2024 [E-PUB AHEAD OF PRINT]