Hyperchloremia and Its Association with Outcomes in Critically Ill Children

Abstract

To determine the relationship of hyperchloremia on development of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, PICU length of stay and mortality in critically ill children. We did retrospective review of medical records of all children (aged 1 month to 16 years) admitted in our PICU from January to December 2015. Study population was divided into groups based on Chloride (Cl) level. Children with Cl level >110 meq/L were labelled as hyperchloremic groups and those with <110 as normochloremic group. Patients having acute kidney injury on admission and length of PICU stay <24 hours were excluded. A total 200 patients were identified, 100 in each group. Mean age was 55.59 ± 57.77 months with no difference between the two groups (p 0.66). 63% were males. Mechanical ventilation was needed in 50% patients, inotropes in 21.6 and renal replacement therapy in 14%. There was no significant difference between the two groups in development of AKI, length of PICU stay or survival (p value >0.05). Background