This retrospective cohort study investigated the relationship between serum phosphate levels and outcomes in neonates with sepsis using data from the Pediatric Intensive Care (PIC) database.

Lower serum phosphate levels are significantly associated with a longer hospital stay in neonates with sepsis.

The findings suggest that close monitoring of serum phosphate and maintaining its homeostasis should be part of the refined management of neonatal sepsis to potentially improve patient prognosis by shortening hospitalization.

Hypophosphatemia is Common: The study included 120 septic infants and confirmed that low serum phosphate levels (hypophosphatemia) are highly prevalent in this population.

Prolonged Hospital Stay: The most significant finding was the strong, independent association between lower phosphate levels and a prolonged length of hospital stay (Los.).

Negative Linear Correlation: Curve fitting showed that as phosphate levels dropped, hospital stay lengthened.

No Association with Mortality/Severity: Importantly, serum phosphate levels were not independently associated with ICU length of stay, in-hospital mortality, or the overall severity of sepsis.

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