Biomarkers in Sepsis and Their Predictive Value in Pediatric Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Sepsis in children is a cause of great concern among pediatricians. New biomarkers makes it possible to obtain quick and accurate diagnosis.

Objective: To determine the predictive capacity of mortality of a group of biomarkers in pediatric patients with sepsis.

Methods: An analytical, prospective and longitudinal descriptive multicenter study was carried out in 60 patients admitted to two intensive care units at Borrás-Marfán Teaching Pediatric Hospital and William Soler University Pediatric Hospital from December 2016 to December 2018. These patients had a diagnosis of sepsis severe and septic shock. The sample was characterized according to demographic variables, origin and stages of sepsis and mortality. In addition, the most sensitive biomarkers for the initial diagnosis and the best predictive value were determined. Descriptive statistics were used and diagnostic tests were performed with more than two results (ROC curve).

Results: A similar distribution of the sample was observed in terms of sex, with average age of 5 years; two thirds were diagnosed as severe sepsis and 23.3% died. Lactate was the marker with the highest sensitivity.

Conclusions: The most sensitive biomarkers for the initial diagnosis of sepsis were lactate, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate; the first two, together with leukocytes, neutrophils, and platelets, were also good predictors of mortality. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was the least significant predictor of mortality biomarker.