Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria including clinical case definitions [14]
| Criteria | Classification | Definitions |
|---|---|---|
|
Inclusion Criteria (cases) | Moderate pneumonia |
Presence of all three symptoms and signs: • cough • tachypnoea rate (≥60/min if <2 months, ≥40/min if ≥2 mo of age) • lower chest wall indrawing |
| Severe pneumonia |
Moderate pneumonia with one of the following added features: • pulse >160/min with hepatomegaly >2 cm below costal margin • cyanosed or restless • inability to breastfeed/drink or vomiting. | |
| Suspected meningitis |
Defined by the presence of fever (>37.5 °C) and one of the following additional features: • seizures • impaired or altered consciousness • irritability • a bulging fontanelle • signs of meningeal irritation (e.g. neck stiffness, Kernig’s sign). | |
| Exclusion criteria (cases) |
The following children were excluded from enrolment as cases: • age ≥ 5 years • severe congenital abnormality • hospitalisation in preceding 14 days • previous enrolment as either case or control in the study within 30 days • parent unable or unwilling to give consent | |
| Exclusion criteria (controls) |
The following children were excluded from enrolment as controls • age ≥ 5 years • symptoms or signs of active infection including cough, tachypnoea, lower chest wall indrawing, fever (>37.5 °C), altered consciousness, drowsy or “staring eyes”, irritability, bulging fontanelle and neck stiffness or signs of meningeal irritation • severe congenital abnormality • hospitalization in preceding 14 days • previous enrolment in the study as a controla • exposed to antibiotics in the past 30 days • parent unable or unwilling to give consent | |