Objectives: To determine serum ferritin value, to study its correlation with PRISM/PELOD score and mortality in patients with sepsis.

Methods: This Analytical Observational prospective cohort study was done in12-bedded Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi. 149 patients with sepsis were included for the study with an inclusion criteria of age >28 days or <16 years and PICU stay >24 hours. Serum ferritin was collected at the time of diagnosis of sepsis. Patient demographics were noted and Pediatric risk of mortality (PRISM) score and Pediatric logistics dysfunction (PELOD) score were calculated. All patients were followed up throughout their hospital stay and outcome data (survival or mortality) was obtained.

Results: Of the 149 patients, 93 survived while 56 died in PICU. Non survivors had a significant higher median ferritin (1205.50 ng/ml) as compared to survivors (p < 0.001). At a cut off of 1100 ng/ml, serum ferritin was associated with a 2.3 (1.571-3.614) relative risk (p < 0.0001) for predicting mortality in patients with sepsis. PRISM and PELOD score were independently associated with mortality and also had a weak correlation with serum ferritin value. No significant difference was found in C- reactive protein (CRP) as well as procalcitonin value in survivors and non survivors group.

Conclusion: High serum ferritin level is associated with poor outcome in patients of sepsis and can be used as a predictive marker of mortality along with current prognostic scores.