Integrative Analysis of Hematological and Biochemical Markers Related to Ventilation Outcomes in Critically Ill Infants

Abstract

Background: Critically ill infants often require mechanical ventilation, and identifying predictors of outcomes in this vulnerable population remains a clinical priority. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between hematological and biochemical markers and ventilation outcomes in infants up to 2 months of age. Methods & Materials: This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Intensive Care Unit of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital & Institute, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from January 2020 to December 2020. This study included 50 critically ill young infants up to 2 months of age who required mechanical ventilation. Of these infants, 37 (74.0%) died during the study period, while 13 (26.0%) survived. Results: The study found no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding age, gestational age, birth weight, or sex. Hematological markers, including WBC count, hemoglobin, and platelet count, showed no significant differences between the two groups before ventilation and before extubation or death (p > 0.05). Similarly, RBS, CRP, serum creatinine, and blood urea levels did not demonstrate a statistically significant association with outcome (p > 0.05). However, hypernatremia (serum sodium >145 mmol/L) was significantly more prevalent in the death group (89.2%) compared to the survival group (61.5%) and was the only parameter that showed a statistically significant correlation with mortality (p = 0.039). Conclusion: In this study, most hematological and biochemical markers, including WBC count, platelet count, hemoglobin, RBS, CRP, serum creatinine, and blood urea, did not show a significant association, while elevated serum sodium levels were significantly associated with mortality in ventilated infants.