ABSTRACT
Background: Coronary artery lesions (CAL) are a specific feature of Kawasaki disease (KD), and develop during the second week of illness. This study was conducted to determine whether Neutrophil: Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), assessed between the fourth and sixth day of fever onset in children with KD, can predict coronary artery lesion (CAL) development. Methods: In this review of hospital records, data of patients with KD admitted at our center between January, 2016 and January, 2020 was retrieved. The patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of CAL, and clinical characteristics of patients were compared between the two groups. Results: Out of the 79 patients enrolled, CAL was found in 40 (50.6%) patients and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) resistance was seen in 13 (16.5%) patients. Multivariate logistic regression revealed NLR as an independent predictor of CAL [OR (95% CI) 2.0 (1.2-3.1); P<0.001], and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) [OR (95% CI) 1.03 (1.001-1.1) P=0.04], as an independent predictor of IVIg resistance. NLR ?2.08 was 82% sensitive and 80% specific in predicting CAL. ESR ?88 mm/h was 85% sensitive and 64% specific in predicting IVIg resistance. Conclusions: NLR is an independent predictor of CAL in KD. NLR ?2.08 done between the fourth and sixth day of fever onset may identify children with KD at risk of CAL.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To evaluate the prognostic ability of serum ferritin when estimated within 5 days of onset of illness in children with severe sepsis admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit. Methods: This observational study enrolled children aged 1 month to 12 years with severe sepsis. Hemoglobin, serum ferritin and C-reactive protein levels were measured within five days of illness. Final outcomes were recorded in all enrolled children. Results: 70 children with median (IQR) age of 27 (8,108) months were enrolled during the study period (July, 2019 to August, 2021). 28 (40%) of these had poor outcome (nonsurvival). The median (IQR) level of serum ferritin was 1369 (558-5607) ng/mL in nonsurvivors and 282 (129-680) ng/mL in survivors (P<0.05). A significant correlation was seen between serum ferritin and Pediatric Risk of Mortality III (PRISM III) score (r=0.364 P=0.002) and pediatric Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (pSOFA) score (r=0.246 P=0.04) at 48 hours of admission. 54 (77.1%) children were anemic. Serum ferritin levels in children with anemia also had a good predictive ability for poor outcome [AUC: 0.764, 95% CI: 0.634, 0.894]. Conclusions: Serum ferritin levels, within five days of onset of illness, predicted poor outcome in critically ill children with severe sepsis and in children with microcytic anemia.