Frequency of Metabolic Acidosis in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

NCT07803263 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Metabolic Acidosis in PICU
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 140
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Metabolic acidosis is one of the most common acid-base disturbances encountered in critically ill children and often reflects underlying disease severity. Despite its clinical importance, prospective epidemiological data regarding its frequency, underlying etiologies, and associated clinical outcomes among pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions in Upper Egypt remain limited. The primary objective of this prospective observational cohort study is to determine the frequency of metabolic acidosis among pediatric patients admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Assiut University Children Hospital. Secondary objectives include identifying the common etiologies and types of metabolic acidosis, as well as evaluating its relationship with clinical outcomes such as mortality, duration of PICU stay, need for mechanical ventilation, and requirement for vasoactive support. A total of 140 eligible pediatric patients aged 1 month to 18 years admitted to the PICU will be enrolled. Eligible patients will undergo arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis and standard clinical and laboratory evaluations upon admission. Metabolic acidosis will be defined based on admission ABG criteria (serum/arterial bicarbonate \< 22 mmol/L and/or base deficit ≥ 5 mmol/L). Patients will be monitored throughout their hospital stay to assess clinical outcomes without interfering with routine medical management.

Conditions

Metabolic Acidosis; Acid-Base Imbalance; Critical Illness in Children

Keywords

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit; PICU; Arterial Blood Gas; Acidemia; Base Deficit; Serum Bicarbonate; Pediatric Critical Care; Mortality

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Percentage of Participants With Metabolic Acidosis on Admission

  Metabolic acidosis is defined based on arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis performed at admission as a serum or arterial bicarbonate concentration less than 22 mmol/L and/or a base deficit greater than or equal to 5 mmol/L. The outcome is measured as the percentage of participants meeting these criteria.

  Baseline

Study Arms (1)

PICU Cohort

Critically ill pediatric patients aged 1 month up to 18 years admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) who undergo arterial blood gas analysis upon admission. Patients will be evaluated for the presence of metabolic acidosis and followed during their PICU stay to assess clinical outcomes, duration of stay, and mortality.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 1 Month - 1 Year
• Sex: all
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Pediatric patients aged 1 month up to 18 years admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Assiut University Children Hospital during the study period who undergo arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis upon admission.

You may qualify if:

• Pediatric patients aged 1 month up to 18 years.
• Admission to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
• Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis performed on admission.

You may not qualify if:

• Neonates (age \< 1 month).
• Readmission during the same hospital admission.
• Patients with incomplete clinical or laboratory data.
• Patients discharged or transferred before complete initial clinical and laboratory assessment

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Assiut University: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Acidosis; Acid-Base Imbalance

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Metabolic Diseases; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Resident of Pediatrics

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 31, 2026
• First Posted: September 3, 2026
• Study Start: October 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 1, 2027
• Last Updated: September 3, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08