Pediatric SIRS: Lactate Predicts 24-Hour Organ Dysfunction

A lactate level ≥4.0 mmol/L within 15 minutes of triage was associated with a more than fivefold increased relative risk for organ dysfunction.

In a prospective cohort study of children younger than 19 years who presented to a pediatric emergency department (ED) with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), investigators determined if hyperlactatemia (point-of-care venous lactate level ≥4.0 mmol/L) within 15 minutes of triage is associated with an elevated risk for organ dysfunction within 24 hours. Patients were eligible if they met the following two SIRS criteria: temperature >38.5°C or <36°C and heart rate greater than two standard deviations above normal for age. Treating providers were blinded to lactate results.

Of 239 patients, 18 had hyperlactatemia, of whom 17 were admitted. Thirteen patients had organ dysfunction within 24 hours — 9 of the patients (4%) in the low-l…

Reviewing Author

Katherine Bakes, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier)

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Justice

Editorial BoardsEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier); Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (Elsevier)

Katherine Bakes, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier)

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Justice

Editorial BoardsEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier); Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (Elsevier)