Gurd’s criteria for the diagnosis of fat embolism syndrome
| The diagnosis of fat embolism syndrome requires at least one sign from the major criteria and at least four signs from the minor criteria category. | |
| Gurd’s major criteria: | Axillary or subconjuctival petechia |
| Occurs transiently (4–6 hours) in 50–60% of the cases | |
| Hypoxaemia (Pao2 <60 mm Hg; Fio2 ⩽0.4) | |
| Central nervous system depression disproportionate to hypoxaemia, and pulmonary oedema | |
| Gurd’s minor criteria: | Tachycardia (more than 110 beats/min) |
| Pyrexia (temperature higher than 38.5°C) | |
| Emboli present in retina on funduscopic examination | |
| Fat present in urine | |
| Sudden unexplainable fall in packed cell volume or platelets | |
| Increasing sedimentation rate | |
| Fat globules present in sputum | |