Table 2 Characteristics of datasets used for external validation of prediction rules.

Van den Bruel et al. 2007 [7]

GP/AP/ED

BE

4102

5.0 (0.0 to 16.9)

0.8 (0.5 to 1.1)

Children ≤16 years with acute illness max 5 days

Traumatic or neurological illness, intoxication, psychiatric or behavioral problems without somatic cause or an exacerbation of a chronic condition. No repeated inclusion of same infant within 5 days. Exclusion of physicians if the assumption of consecutive inclusion was probably violated

Roukema et al. 2008 [24]

ED

NL

1750

2.9 (0.1 to 15.7)

12.3 (10.8 to 13.9)

All children with fever (>38°C) at ED, without meningeal irritation

Chronic disease, Immunodeficiency

Bleeker et al. 2007 [25]

ED

NL

595

0.9 (0.0 to 3.0)

23.0 (19.6 to 26.4)

Children with fever T>38°C at ED, no clear focus identified after evaluation GP of history by pediatrician

Chronic disease, Immunodeficiency

Monteny et al. 2008 [22]

GP

NL

506

2.2 (0.3 to 5.9)

4.0 (2.3 to 5.7)

Children aged 3 months to 6 years, contacting a GP cooperative after hours with fever as the presenting symptom

Language barriers, no repeated inclusion within the previous two weeks

Brent et al. 2011 [23]

ED

UK

2777

3.3 (0.0 to 18.4)

5.3 (4.5 to 6.1)

All children presenting with a medical problem to the pediatric emergency-care unit whatever their age

Children who required immediate resuscitation. Comorbidity and chronic illness

Thompson et al. 2009 [18]

PAU

UK

700

4.6 (0.0 to 16.0)

37.7 (34.1 to 41.3)

Children aged 3 months to 16 years with suspected acute infection

Children with diseases liable to cause repeated serious bacterial infection, and infections resulting from penetrating trauma

Oostenbrink et al. 2004 [26]

ED

NL

593

3.7 (0.1 to 16.1)

43.8 (39.8 to 47.9)

Children aged 1 month to 16 years, meningeal signs at GP, pediatrician-referred or self-referred with neck pain

Comorbidity, ventriculoperitoneal drain