A study on the prognostic value of core to peripheral temperature gradient and blood lactate levels in critically ill children in a tertiary care hospital in Kanpur, India

Abstract

To assess the prognostic value of core to peripheral temperature gradient and blood lactate levels in critically ill children and determine their correlation in terms of patient outcome. It is a prospective observational study conducted on 99 patients admitted in the pediatric emergency ward/ICU of Deptt. Of Pediatrics, G.S.V.M. Medical College, Kanpur. Children between ages of 6 months to 18 years with sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score > 5 were included. ROC analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to analyse the data. ROC curve analysis showed that core to peripheral temperature gradient and blood lactate levels had similar predictive values for increased risk of death (area under the curve, 0.852 and 0.825, respectively) with the best cut-off values of 3.4°C for core to peripheral temperature gradient and 44 mg/L for blood lactate levels. Among infants aged 6 months to 18 years, core to peripheral temperature gradient and blood lactate levels are good prognostic indicators in identifying critically ill children at increased risk of death.

Keywords

Core to peripheral temperature gap - blood lactate levels - children