Background: Anion gap (AG) is a commonly used indicator in patients with metabolic acidosis. Anion gap, along with clinical symptoms, helps to orient the cause. In addition, it contributes to the prognosis of severity and mortality in metabolic acidosis. Hypernatremia represents a state of total body water deficiency in absolute or relative to total body Na and potassium.
Aim and objectives: to investigate if both serum sodium and anion gap are linked to mortality in hospitalized kids admitted to PICUs. We specifically looked into whether serum anion gap level and hypernatremia at the time of PICU admission are a reliable predictor for mortality and how well it performed in comparison to other mortality prediction models.
Subjects and methods: This prospective study was conducted at pediatric intensive care units at Bab El-Sheria university hospital. The study included 100 cases that divided into 4 groups: A) Children with Normal anion gap and normal sodium. B) Children with High anion gap and normal sodium. C) Children with High anion gap and hypernatremia. D) Children with Normal anion gap and hypernatremia.
Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the studied groups as regard Serum electrolyte test results, Outcome and Pediatric disease severity indices.
Conclusion: We concluded that patients with corrected high anion gap as well as with hypernatremia have poor prognosis and outcome. They also have high mortality rate than those with normal anion gap and normal serum sodium.