Comparison of serum albumin level and lactate for predicting preterm morbidities and mortality

Abstract

Purpose: We aimed to comparison of serum albumin and lactate level for predicting neonatal morbidities and mortality in preterm infants < 32 weeks of gestation. Materials and Methods: The medical records of babies were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups; plasma albumin levels ≤ 2.5 g/dL were defined as Group 1, 2.6-3 g/dL as Group 2 and ≥ 3 g/dL as Group 3. The babies < 28 weeks of gestation were analysed as a subgroup. Results: 300 infants with mean gestational age of 28.7 ± 2.4 weeks and mean birth weights 1240 ± 405 grams were included. In predicting mortality; the sensitivity of the albumin level within the first three days was 74.4% and the specificity was 73.2% (cut-off < 2.9 g/dL), the sensitivity of the lowest albumin level was 90.7% and the specificity was 70.1% (cut-off < 2.65 g/dL), the sensitivity of the lactate level was 67.4% and the specificity was 63.3% (cut off > 3.1 mmol/L). Analysis of < 28 weeks babies; the sensitivity of lowest albumin level was 80% and the specifity was 66.7% (cut-off < 2.45 g/dL) and the sensitivity of the albumin level within the first three days was 74.3% and the specificity was 72.6% (cut-off < 2.8 g/dL), and the sensitivity of lactate was 74.3% and the specifity was 64.2% (cut-off > 3.1mmol/L). Conclusion: Low serum albumin level appears to be more specific and sensitive than lactate in predicting mortality and may be considered to be added to mortality prediction scores.