Publication:

A study on the role of paediatric assessment triangle, clinical scoring and serum lactate in the management of septic shock in children

Background There is dearth of studies in India on the management of paediatric septic shock. So it is prudent to do a study on paediatric septic shock management. The objective of the study is to determine the correlation between Paediatric Assessment Triangle and serum lactate levels., to determine the role Paediatric Assessment Triangle in predicting mortality in septic shock and to the determine the role of elevated lactate levels in predicting mortality in septic shock.

Methods Descriptive study of 100 children from 31 days to 12 years of age who are admitted with septic shock in a tertiary care hospital are assessed with paediatric assessment triangle and clinical score and serum lactate was tested along with other standard tests and the children are managed as per the standard protocols. Outcome is analysed.

Results In this study, septic shock children with total clinical score >22 are having statistically significant low levels of diastolic blood pressure and low mean arterial pressure. There was a significant difference in median serum lactate levels between the survivors (28.08 mg/dl) and non-survivors (40.92 mg/dl).

Conclusions Paediatric assessment triangle and clinical scoring based on it more than 22 and serum lactate levels of more than 2mmol/L or 18mg/dl predict the mortality.