Severe liver injury affects the outcomes and length of hospital stay in children with community-acquired pneumonia

BACKGROUND: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the association between liver injury and clinical parameters, outcomes and length of stay (LOS) in hospital in children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). METHODS: Clinical data and laboratory indicators of 2,573 children with CAP were analyzed. The association between liver injury and clinical parameters, outcomes and LOS was then analyzed. RESULTS: Higher liver injury class was associated with higher incidence of severe CAP, comorbidities, hypoxia, requirement for mechanical ventilation, 30-day mortality and intensive care unit admission, and higher indicators of inflammation (C-reactive protein, procalcitonin and white blood cell count), longer LOS, faster respiratory rate and pulse rate, and lower age, serum albumin levels, monocyte and lymphocyte counts. Severe liver injury was identified as an independent factor for 30-day mortality and prolonged LOS in children with CAP. Higher liver injury class was associated with a lower cumulative survival rate (p=0.0004), and log-rank test for trend was used to demonstrate the association of each injury class with 30-day mortality (p=0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: Several parameters were associated with liver injury in children with CAP. Severe liver injury was found to be an independent factor for 30-day mortality and LOS in children with CAP.