Changes of albumin levels in children with sepsis / 临床儿科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To discuss the signiifcance of serum albumin level in assessing severity, progress and prognosis of sepsis in children. Methods The clinical data of 212 patients diagnosed with sepsis admitted to PICU from February 2010 to July 2010 were retrospectively analyzed, and 52 patients had severe sepsis and 31 patients had septic shock. Meanwhile, 110 non-sepsis patients were selected as controls. The relationships of hypoalbuminemia with pediatric critical illness score (PCIS), pediatric risk of mortality III (PRISM III) and prognosis were evaluated, and the change of albumin level in patients with dif-ferent severity of sepsis was observed. Relative factors analysis of albumin level ≤25 g/L was performed. Results As the serum albumin level was decreased, the PCIS was signiifcantly decreased while the PRISM III was increased (P<0.01). The se-rum albumin level was signiifcantly different among children with septic shock, severe sepsis and sepsis and controls (F=13.938, P=0.000). The results of relative factors analysis showed that sepsis children with an albumin level≤25 g/L had more organ failures, higher mortality, longer hospital and PICU stay and more likelihood for ventilator support (P<0.01). Lower albumin levels were accompanied with lower rates of recovery and improvement but higher mortality (rs=-0.161, P=0.000). Conclusions Hypoalbuminemia can be used as indirect indicator for severity of infection. The albumin level≤25 g/L indicated the severity of illness and prognosis in children with sepsis.