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Research Article: Validation of the Pediatric Advanced Weight Prediction in the Emergency Room Extra Large Mid-Arm Circumference scale in Turkish children

Date Published: 2026-09-16

Abstract:
This study aimed to validate the Pediatric Advanced Weight Prediction in the Emergency Room Extra Large-Mid-Arm Circumference (PAWPER XL-MAC) weight estimation scale in Turkish children by evaluating its accuracy, agreement, and validity across age groups. We assessed the scale's performance using mid-arm circumference (MAC), habitus status (HS), and height to predict weight, while examining age- and gender-related differences. This study included pediatric patients (aged 0–18 years) who presented to a pediatric surgery outpatient clinic from December 2024 to April 2025. Data on demographics, height, weight, MAC, and clinician-assigned HS (1–7) were collected. PAWPER XL-MAC estimated weights were calculated. Accuracy was assessed using percentage within 10% (PW10) and percentage within 20% (PW20). Analyses included descriptive stats, Pearson correlations, t -tests/Welch's t -tests, ANOVA, multiple regression, Bland–Altman plots, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for validity measures. SPSS, R, and Jamovi were used. The cohort comprised 323 boys (65.8%) and 168 girls (34.2%), for a total of 491 patients, with infants (0–2 years) forming the largest group (41.8%). Significant gender differences were observed in MAC and weight ( p <?0.01). The multiple linear regression model (weight?MAC?+?height?+?HS) demonstrated a strong fit (R 2 =?0.878). Overall, PW10 was 10.8%, and PW20 was 21.0%, with marked age-dependent variation, with moderate performance in schoolers (PW10: 10.1%, PW20: 22.2%) and the highest in adolescents (PW10: 41.9%, PW20: 81.7%). MAC–HS agreement showed a moderate-to-weak positive association (gamma?=?0.226). PCA revealed a single dominant factor explaining 62.4% of variance, with strong loadings for weight (0.89) and MAC (0.85). CFA proxy indices indicated acceptable-to-good model fit (comparative fit index ?0.92–0.95, standardized root mean square residual ?0.06–0.08). The PAWPER XL-MAC scale shows acceptable structure validity in Turkish children but has age-related accuracy issues, especially in younger groups. Age-specific adjustments are recommended to improve reliability for emergency weight estimation and drug dosing in children.

Introduction:
This study aimed to validate the Pediatric Advanced Weight Prediction in the Emergency Room Extra Large-Mid-Arm Circumference (PAWPER XL-MAC) weight estimation scale in Turkish children by evaluating its accuracy, agreement, and validity across age groups. We assessed the scale's performance using mid-arm circumference (MAC), habitus status (HS), and height to predict weight, while examining age- and gender-related differences.

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