Table 2
Author, date and countryPatient groupStudy type (level of evidence)OutcomesKey resultsStudy weaknesses
Gorelick M, et al, 1997, USA84 patients, Age (1 month to 5 years)Prospective cohort studyLevel of observer agreementk = 0.55Small numbers
Urban Paediatric Emergency HospitalBlinding
2 out of 17 independent assessorsConvenience sample
Duggan C, et al, 1997, Egypt100 patientsProspective cohort studyLevel of observer agreementk1 = 0.36 95% CI (0.525–0.203), k2 = 0.511 95% CI (0.66–0.362), k3 = 0.417 95% CI (0.568–0.266)Convenience sample
Age (2 months to 2 years)Gastroenteritis UnitStandardised assessment of skin turgor
3 independent assessors
Otieno H, et al, 2004, Kenya100 consecutive patientsProspective cohort studyLevel of observer agreementk = 0.55 95% CI (0.4–0.7)Heterogenous group
Age(2 days to 10 years 11 months)Nil exclusion criteria stated
Rural district hospital
4 independent assessors