Implications for practice
illness
LRTI
A simple, internally validated clinical score for use in more unwell children with uncomplicated acute LRTI uses variables that are easily documented in routine consultations, and shows promise in enabling clinicians to identify the minority of children whose illness is more likely to progress sufficiently to require hospital assessment, and those where the illness is very unlikely to progress. The clinical score has the potential to help guide management decisions to minimise antibiotic use for children at low risk and/or for closer follow up for children at high risk.The authors are very grateful to both the trial steering committee (Chair Elaine Hay) and the data safety monitoring committee (Chair Sally Kerry) for their support and advice.