Pediatrics

RDAI

Respiratory Distress Assessment Instrument: observed wheeze and retractions.

Intended population: Children younger than 2 years with wheezing illness, matching the original study population, with a separate full respiratory assessment.

RDAI has no validated disposition thresholds and must not be used as discharge clearance.
Assess apnea, oxygenation, feeding, hydration, exhaustion and other danger signs separately. Quiet or absent wheeze does not exclude respiratory failure.

Child is younger than 2 years with wheezing illness

Expiratory wheeze

Inspiratory wheeze

Wheeze distribution

Supraclavicular retractions

Intercostal retractions

Subcostal retractions

Sources and scoring references

Original RDAI study ↗RDAI scoring table in clinical study ↗

Implementation references reviewed October 28, 2026. Verify applicability and unusual or treatment-changing results against the linked references and local guidance.