Serum Cholesterol Levels as Prognostic Marker in Sepsis in Children

Lipids, such as cholesterol and triglycerides, are insoluble in plasma. Circulating lipid is carried in lipoproteins that transport the lipid to various tissues for energy utilization, lipid deposition, steroid hormone production, and bile acid formation. Besides their role in lipid transport, lipoproteins participate in innate immunity, which is the first line of host defense against invading microorganisms Changes in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism occur in sepsis. In this study it was observed that the cholesterol levels fall with onset of sepsis and the improve as the patient recovers from sepsis. Serum cholesterol levels were measured in 40 septic pediatric patients. On day of admission, the levels were significantly low correlating with the degree of severity of sepsis. The levels increased on day 5 of illness in recovering patients whereas it remained low in patients who died. The levels of cholesterol in sepsis can be used as a prognostic marker.