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Comparison of Lactic Acid Levels in Children with Suspected and Confirmed Intussusception
Vanessa Tamas1, Paul Ishimine1
1Rady Children's Hospital, University of California, San Diego, California.
Insights
Lactic acid levels do not help diagnose intussusception in children. This study found no significant difference in lactic acid levels between suspected and confirmed cases of this serious intestinal condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Emergency Medicine
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Intussusception diagnosis in children lacks a definitive laboratory test.
- Lactic acid is a known indicator of gastrointestinal ischemia in emergencies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare lactic acid levels in children with suspected versus confirmed intussusception.
- To evaluate the utility of lactic acid as a diagnostic marker for pediatric intussusception.
Main Methods:
- Prospective case series of 39 children with suspected intussusception.
- Blood lactic acid levels measured before abdominal ultrasound screening.
- Inclusion criteria: suspected intussusception requiring ultrasound.
Main Results:
- 16 out of 39 patients were diagnosed with intussusception.
- Mean lactic acid levels were similar: 1.7 ± 0.69 mmol/L (suspected) vs. 1.93 ± 1.13 mmol/L (confirmed).
- No statistically significant difference in lactic acid levels was observed between groups.
Conclusions:
- Lactic acid levels are not a reliable biomarker for identifying intussusception in children.
- Current diagnostic approaches for intussusception require further investigation for laboratory markers.
Background:
Currently, no laboratory test can identify children with intussusception. Lactic acid is a marker of ischemia in gastrointestinal emergencies.
Objectives:
We present a case series comparing lactic acid levels in children with suspected and confirmed intussusception.
Methods:
This is a prospective single case series of 39 patients who had suspected intussusception. Patients were eligible if they underwent abdominal ultrasound screening for suspected intussusception. Blood collected at the time of peripheral intravenous line placement was analyzed for lactic acid levels before ultrasound.
Results:
Thirty-nine patients were enrolled; 16 were diagnosed with intussusception. Mean (± standard deviation) lactic acid levels were not significantly different between children with suspected (1.7 ± 0.69 mmol/L) and confirmed intussusception (1.93 ± 1.13 mmol/L).
Conclusions:
Lactic acid levels cannot identify children with intussusception.