Background: Limited information exists regarding the shock index (SI) and lactate levels in children with sepsis. Therefore, we performed this study to explore the predictive value of SI (baseline and 6 h later) and baseline lactate levels in pediatric patients with severe sepsis.

Methods: Children with severe sepsis were enrolled in this prospective study. The SI (measured by HR/SBP) and lactate levels were assessed. The study population was categorized into two distinct groups: survivors and nonsurvivors.

Results: The sample size was 46 children, with 21 being survivors and 25 being nonsurvivors. Blood cultures in the survivors revealed Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli (E. coli). However, blood cultures in the nonsurvivors revealed Klebsiella pneumonia and Acinetobacter baumannii complex. The SI did not significantly differ between survivors and nonsurvivors. The median (IQR) lactate levels of survivors were 5.2 (2.7 – 14) mmol/L, and those of nonsurvivors were 5.2 (3.1 – 18) mmol/L. The groups' baseline lactate levels did not differ significantly.

Conclusions: We conclude that the shock index and lactate values do not vary notably between survivors and nonsurvivors. Therefore, the shock index (baseline and 6 h later) and baseline lactate levels did not predict nonsurvival in children with severe sepsis. This could be attributed to the limited number of study participants, large variations in normal physiological indicators, and limited pediatric physiological compensatory abilities in response to the shock.