A cross-sectional study on the correlation between blood phosphorus level with sepsis and associated prognostic factors in neonates

OBJECTIVE: Neonatal sepsis is one of the most critical causes of infant mortality. Alteration in phosphorous levels is known to be associated with sepsis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the level of blood phosphorus in neonates admitted to ICU and its relation with different factors and prognosis of patients. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, all neonates admitted to the intensive care unit diagnosed with neonatal sepsis were included. Serum phosphorus levels were evaluated along with c-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and urine and blood culture. Demographic data along with clinical findings were collected in a research questionnaire for all the patients. RESULTS: Of 211 neonates, 98 (46.4%) were female and 113 (53.6%) were male, and the mean age of the patients was 10.51 days. The mean phosphorus level was 4.39 ± 0.67 mg/dL. The mean phosphorus levels among girls and boys was significantly different, p = 0.001 (4.23 ± 0.62 vs 4.53 ± 0.69 mg/dL). The mean phosphorus among positive and negative blood culture patients was also significant, p < 0.001 (4.74 ± 0.67 vs 4.29 ± 0.64 mg/dL). However, type of feeding, ESR, urine culture and CRP status was not associated with phosphorus levels, p > 0.05. CONCLUSION: The alterations in phosphorous levels among neonatal sepsis patient is likely to be correlated with gender and blood culture status. Other prognostic markers might not have an effect on phosphorous levels in these patients.