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Subject Area

Pediatrics

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objectives To evaluate the incidence of hypoalbuminemia as a predictor of clinical outcome in critically ill pediatric patients. Background Hypoalbuminemia is a common finding in critically ill patients associated with a high risk of poor outcome, but there is limited data on its role in pediatric patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low albumin levels in pediatric patients on poor prognosis and high risk of mortality in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Patients and methods This was a prospective cohort study conducted at the PICU at El-Bagour Hospital from November 2018 to November 2020. The aim was to evaluate low albumin level as a predictor of poor prognosis and clinical outcome in 150 critically ill children aged 1 month up to 18 years. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to assess the discriminatory ability of scoring systems for patients' mortality. Results In total, 148 patients were included in the final analysis where the incidence of hypoalbuminemia in the first 48 h postadmission was 44.6% with an overall mean serum albumin level of 3.34 ± 0.78. Moreover, we found that children with hypoalbuminemia had higher mortality rate (P < 0.001), higher PICU stays (P = 0.016), lower Glasgow Coma score (P = 0.0017), and more need of mechanical ventilation (P < 0.001). Conclusion Hypoalbuminemia may be used as a significant predictor of mortality and risk assessment in critically ill children.

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