title: [Association between phase angle, PRISM I and sepsis severity].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Phase angle (PA) is the difference between voltage and current and can be used as an indicator of body cell mass. Clinical studies show that low phase angle is associated with morbidity and mortality of critical patients. The purpose of this study was to know the relation between phase angle and the Pediatric Risk of Mortality I (PRISM I) score, associating this score with the severity of sepsis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A transversal study was performed at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in Instituto Fernandes Figueira. The patients were classified according to age, gender, sepsis severity, cause of respiratory failure, PRISM I score, multiple organ dysfunction syndromes (MODS). Electrical bioimpedance analysis (BIA) was performed in all patients. Phase angle was calculated directly from reactance (Xc) and resistance (R). AF = arc-tangent reactance/resistance x 180º/Pi.
  
  
  RESULTS
  75 patients (68 septic) were evaluated. The incidence of septic shock was 39.7%, severe sepsis 42.6% and sepsis 17.6%. There was no significative statistical difference between the mean values of BIA and the categories of PRISM I, MODS, or the length of stay the PICU. The PA's lowest values (1.5º-2.2º) were associated to the greatest PRISM's scores (> 30%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pediatric critical patients show low phase angle values, which might have prognostic implication.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Fernandes Figueira, FIOCRUZ.
authors.forename: Zina Maria Almeida de
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Azevedo
authors.forename: Dilma Ribeiro
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: FIOCRUZ.
authors.forename: Maria Virgínia P
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Dutra
authors.affiliation: FIOCRUZ.
authors.forename: Maria Ignêz C Gaspar
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Elsas
authors.affiliation: Escola de Medicina, Universidade Católica de Pelotas.
authors.forename: Maria Cristina G
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Barbosa-Silva
authors.affiliation: FIOCRUZ.
authors.forename: Vânia Matos
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Fonseca