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Published on: October 14, 2022
The Prognostic Nutritional Index and Mortality in Patients With Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Infection
Sebnem Nergiz1, Pinar Aydin Ozturk1,2
1Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Ataturk Faculty of Health Sciences, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
Insights
Low prognostic nutritional index (PNI) is linked to higher mortality in pediatric patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) infections. This study highlights PNI as a potential predictor for outcomes in these critical cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) placement is common in pediatric hydrocephalus management.
- VPS infection is a serious complication, increasing morbidity and mortality.
- Early identification of prognostic factors is crucial for managing pediatric VPS infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and mortality in pediatric patients diagnosed with VPS infection.
- To identify clinical and laboratory parameters that correlate with survival in this patient cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 63 pediatric patients with confirmed VPS infection and positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures.
- Comparison of laboratory findings (CSF and blood parameters) between survivor and non-survivor groups.
- Calculation and evaluation of the prognostic nutritional index (PNI).
Main Results:
- Non-survivor patients exhibited significantly lower levels of CSF leukocytes, CSF glucose, CSF protein, CSF/blood glucose ratio, lymphocyte count, serum albumin, and PNI.
- Conversely, non-survivor patients had higher levels of blood glucose and C-reactive protein (CRP).
- A low PNI was identified as a significant indicator associated with increased mortality risk.
Conclusions:
- The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) may serve as a valuable predictive marker for mortality in pediatric patients experiencing VPS infection.
- Nutritional status, as reflected by PNI, plays a role in the clinical outcomes of VPS infections.
- Further research is warranted to explore the therapeutic implications of nutritional support in managing VPS infections.
Abstract:
The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between mortality and the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in the pediatric patient group with ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) infection. A total of 63 pediatric patients with a VPS infection and positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture were retrospectively registered. The CSF specimens were analyzed to conduct culture and microscopic evaluation. A total of 44.4% of the cases were men and 55.6% of the cases were women. Patients were divided into 2 groups (survivor and non-survivor patients). When survivor and non-survivor patients were compared, it was found that CSF leukocytes, CSF glucose, CSF protein, CSF/blood glucose ratio, lymphocyte, albumin, and PNI levels were lower in the non-survivor patients' group. Nevertheless, blood glucose and CRP (C-reactive protein) were significantly higher in the non-survivor patients' group than in the survivor patients' group. In our investigation, we suggested that low PNI was related to high mortality in cases of VPS infection.
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