Frequency of Hypophosphatemia in Children Presenting with Sepsis in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-sectional Study

Aim: To determine the frequency of hypophosphatemia in the children presenting with sepsis in a tertiary care hospital.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration: Department of paediatric, civil hospital, Karachi, Pakistan from october 2020 to april 2021.

Methodology: A total of 190 children with clinical sepsis were included in the study. Serum phosphate level, CBC, CRP, and blood culture of all children were sent within 24 hours of admission. Serum phosphate level less than 2.5mg/dL was labeled hypophosphatemia. It was categorized as mild, moderate and severe at level of 2-2.5 mg/dL), 1-2 mg/dL), and < 1 mg/dL respectively.

Results: Mean ± SD age of study participants was 2.69±3.19 years. Out of 190 patients 106 (55.8%) were male while 84 (44.2%) were female. Hypophosphatemia was found in 36 (18.9%) patients among them. Mild and moderate hypophosphatemia was noted in 18 (50%) of the children from each category of patients.

Conclusion: This study concluded that hypophosphatemia was documented in considerable number of children who presented with clinical sepsis. Serum phosphate levels should be checked in children who present with sepsis. To avoid the issues of a double burden of disease in these patients, strategies to prevent these diseases should be supported.