Clinical Conditions Associated With Elevated Lactate Levels in Hospitalized Children. | ScholarDeck

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Clinical Conditions Associated With Elevated Lactate Levels in Hospitalized Children.

New research · Pediatrics

Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992) · 2w

Cohort studyActa paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)· Sep 2026

Clinical Conditions Associated With Elevated Lactate Levels in Hospitalized Children.

Eveliina Kuitunen, Ilari Kuitunen, Miika Arvonen, Marjo Renko

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Pediatric Critical & Emergency CareCohort studyDiagnosis

Most children with lactate ≥ 5 mmol/L had respiratory infections; sepsis or meningitis accounted for few.

Clinical Conditions Associated With Elevated Lactate Levels in Hospitalized Children.

Eveliina Kuitunen … Marjo Renko

Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway · Sep 2026

Background

Lactate is included in adult septic shock criteria, but its role in paediatric sepsis is unclear.

Purpose

We aimed to identify conditions associated with elevated lactate in children and determine where levels are highest.

Methods

With elevated lactate were included.

n = 3039 patients

Results

of children with lactate ≥ 5 mmol/L had a respiratory infection, the most common diagnosis

45.1%

Respiratory infections

Sepsis/meningitis

More results

Among 3039 patients (4577 hospitalisations), 175 had lactate ≥ 5 mmol/L.

Median lactate was highest in sepsis/meningitis, exceeding six other categories.

Only five patients had lactate ≥ 11 mmol/L, mostly with sepsis/meningitis.

“

Conclusion

Elevated lactate is common in hospitalised children and occurs across diverse conditions. Although highest in sepsis, most cases are non-septic. Lactate should be interpreted in a clinical context.

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