A validation study of the PAWPER XL tape: accurate estimation of both total and ideal body weight in children up to 16 years of age

Abstract

Background: The PAWPER tape has proved to be one of the most accurate weight estimation systems available, but its reduced accuracy in obese children and relative shortness (153cm) limit its functioning. The PAWPER tape was redeveloped as the PAWPER XL tape, to provide additional capacity for estimating weight in obese children and taller children (for extra-length and extra-large children). The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the PAWPER XL tape in estimating total body weight (TBW) and ideal body weight (IBW) in a population with a high prevalence of underweight and obese children. Methods: Estimations of TBW and IBW were obtained using the Broselow tape, the Mercy method, the original PAWPER tape and the new PAWPER XL tape in a convenience sample of 332 Emergency Department children. These predicted weights were compared to actual weight and calculated IBW. Results: The percentage of TBW estimates within 10% of actual weight (PW10) for the PAWPER XL tape, the PAWPER tape, the Mercy method and the Broselow tape was 83.4%, 81.8%, 63.9% and 57.1% respectively. For IBW the PW10 for the PAWPER XL tape, the PAWPER tape and the Broselow tape was 87.9%, 86.7% and 80.0% respectively. Conclusions: The PAWPER XL tape estimated both TBW and IBW extremely accurately, significantly better than the other weight estimation systems. The increased length and number of habitus score categories of the PAWPER XL tape enabled it to outperform the PAWPER tape in children >153cm in length and in severely obese children. Abbreviations: