Persistent Hyperlactatemia as the Predictor of Poor Outcome in Critically Ill Children: A Single-Center, Prospective, Observational Cohort Study

Abstract

Objective To study incidence of hyperlactatemia and its correlation with outcome in critically ill children.

Design Single-center, prospective cohort study.

Setting Eight-bedded PICU.

Method Serial serum lactate levels were measured in 140 critically ill children at 0, 12, 24, and 48 hours.

Results A total of 45% children had hyperlactatemia. Lactate levels were significantly (p = 0.000) higher in nonsurvivors at all intervals. Lactate levels decreased significantly (p = 0.000) in survivors while increased in nonsurvivors. Normalized lactate load was found to be an independent predictor of mortality (p = 0.023).

Conclusion Persistent hyperlactatemia serves as a possible predictor of poor outcome in critically ill children.

Keywords

critically ill children - hyperlactatemia - PICU - PRISM - normalized lactate load

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