[Blood lactate as prognostic marker in critically ill children: a problem related to production or clearance?].

Suggested citation: Ronco R. Blood lactate as prognostic marker in critically ill children: a problem related to production or clearance? J Pediatr (Rio J). 2005;81:271-2. The temporal evolution of blood lactate levels has been widely used as a prognostic marker in critically ill patients, especially in the unstable phase. In the study published by Koliski et al.1 in this issue of Jornal de Pediatria, blood lactate levels were serially measured in critically ill children admitted to the ICU during the first 48 hours. The children were divided into group A, with lactate levels > to 18 mg/dl (2 mmol/l) (n = 50), and into group B, with lactate < 18 mg/dl (n = 25).