Importance of Lactate/Albumin Ratio in Pediatric Nosocomial Infection and Mortality at Different Times

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the lactate/albumin ratio and its relation to mortality in children with nosocomial infections. Materials & methods: One hundred six children were included in this study. Blood gas and albumin levels were analyzed at the first, 24th and 48th h. Results: The types of detected microbial agents, signs of sepsis, development of septic shock and mortality rates were different. The first-, 24th- and 48th h lactate levels of the children who died were higher than those of the living children, but the albumin levels were lower. The highest area under the curve value for the lactate/albumin ratio was detected at the 24th h. Conclusion: Lactate/albumin ratio can be used to predict mortality in children with nosocomial infections.

Tweetable abstract

The lactate/albumin ratio is a useful indicator for predicting mortality in children with nosocomial infections. This study finds that comparing values at 24 h may provide the best indicator of outcome.

Keywords::

• children
• lactate/albumin ratio
• mortality
• nosocomial infection
• sepsis

Author contributions

M Arı, A Keskin, HF Arı and R Aci were involved in the study concept and design and critical revision of the article. M Arı and R Aci conducted the study. M Arı, HF Arı and A Keskin analyzed the data and drafted and revised the article. All authors approved the final article.

Financial disclosure

The authors have no financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending or royalties.

Competing interests disclosure

The authors have no competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending or royalties.

Writing disclosure

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

Ethics committee approval for the study (ethics committee decision approval number: HRU/23.06.15) was obtained from the Harran University Clinical Research Ethics Committee and written informed consent was obtained from all participants or their guardians.