Elevated Lactate in Children with Suspected Infection Confers Increased Mortality Risk

Researchers examined the association between an initial lactate level >36 mg/dL (4.0 mmol/L) and 30-day in-hospital mortality in a prospective cohort of children (age range, 60 days to 18 years) who presented to a single pediatric emergency department with suspected infection and had venous lactate levels measured within 8 hours after arrival. Lactate levels were ordered at the discretion of the treating physician and were included in a standard electronic order set developed to improve the recognition and treatment of pediatric sepsis.

Of 1299 children enrolled over 45 months (mean age, 7 years; median lactate level, 14.4 mg/dL), 25 (2%) were dead at 30 days. Of 103 children with lactate levels >36 mg/dL, 5 (5%) died versus 20 (2%) of those…