Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 10, 2025

A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition
04:53

A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition

Published on: September 20, 2019

10.8K

Serum Albumin Level as a Predictor of Outcome in Patients Admitted to Pediatric Intensive Care Units

Osama E Bekhit1, Remon M Yousef1, Hoiyda A Abdelrasol2

  • 1From the Departments of Pediatrics.

Pediatric Emergency Care
|December 15, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Low serum albumin on pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission predicts higher mortality. This finding highlights albumin as a key prognostic indicator for critically ill children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric critical care medicine
  • Clinical biochemistry
  • Prognostic marker research

Background:

  • Serum albumin levels are routinely measured on admission to pediatric intensive care units (PICUs).
  • The prognostic value of admission serum albumin in critically ill children remains an area of investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate serum albumin level on admission as a prognostic indicator in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).
  • To assess the association between hypoalbuminemia and mortality in critically ill children.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study was conducted at Fayoum University Children's Hospital.
  • Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected, including the Pediatric Risk of Mortality III (PRISM-III) score.
  • Serum albumin levels were measured within 24 hours of PICU admission, and outcomes such as mortality and length of stay were recorded.

Main Results:

  • The incidence of hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin ≤3.7 g/dL) was 26%, associated with significantly higher mortality (42.3% vs 17.6%).
  • Each unit increase in serum albumin decreased mortality risk by 28.9% (OR, 0.289; P=0.001).
  • Combining serum albumin with the PRISM-III score improved mortality prediction (AUC, 0.802) compared to either alone (AUC, 0.738 for albumin).

Conclusions:

  • Admission hypoalbuminemia is a significant predictor of mortality in the PICU.
  • Serum albumin is a valuable prognostic marker in critically ill children.
  • Further research is recommended to validate the addition of serum albumin to existing scoring systems like PRISM-III for enhanced mortality prediction.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies10:38

Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies

Published on: January 16, 2019

20.4K
Quantitative Measurement of Intrathecally Synthesized Proteins in Mice08:23

Quantitative Measurement of Intrathecally Synthesized Proteins in Mice

Published on: November 29, 2019

11.2K

Related Concept Videos

Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention01:30

Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention

Accurate diagnosis and effective prevention are critical in managing Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), which is linked to high mortality rates ranging from 10% to 80%. Timely recognition of at-risk patients and careful monitoring can significantly reduce the likelihood of kidney damage.Diagnostic Assessments:The diagnostic process starts with a comprehensive medical history to identify prerenal, intrarenal, and postrenal causes.Prerenal causes, such as dehydration, hypotension, or blood loss, should...
79
Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests01:24

Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests

Renal function tests are crucial for assessing kidney health, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating the kidneys' efficiency in waste elimination, fluid balance, and electrolyte regulation. These tests offer critical insights into kidney function, even though routine measurements may appear normal until there is a significant decline in the glomerular filtration rate or GFR. Typically, signs of kidney impairment only become evident when the GFR falls to about 50% of its normal level.
118
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight,...
15
Acute Kidney Injury I: Introduction01:22

Acute Kidney Injury I: Introduction

Introduction:Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) describes a swift decrease in kidney function occurring over hours to days, characterized by the kidneys' failure to remove waste products from the bloodstream. This leads to dangerous complications like metabolic acidosis, fluid overload, and electrolyte imbalances, such as hyperkalemia, which can cause life-threatening arrhythmias. AKI is common in both hospital and outpatient settings, often triggered by dehydration, sepsis, or exposure to nephrotoxic...
130
Acute Kidney Injury III: Clinical Manifestations01:29

Acute Kidney Injury III: Clinical Manifestations

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) progresses through distinct clinical phases: the oliguric, diuretic, and recovery phases, each marked by unique manifestations and challenges.Oliguric Phase:The oliguric phase is the initial stage of AKI, typically lasting 10 to 14 days. This phase is marked by a significant reduction in urine output, usually less than 400 mL per day, indicating decreased kidney function. Fluid retention is a prominent feature, leading to symptoms such as edema, hypertension, and...
165
Acute Kidney Injury VI: Nursing Management01:22

Acute Kidney Injury VI: Nursing Management

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) results in an inability to maintain fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance. Effective nursing management is critical in improving patient outcomes and includes comprehensive patient assessment and targeted interventions.Comprehensive Patient AssessmentA detailed history collection is essential, focusing on any recent infections, nephrotoxic medication use, or chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes that may contribute to AKI. During the physical...
105