The tests below should be done on all suspected cases of MD and children who are suspected of having an invasive bacterial infection:
- Glucose
- Full blood count
- Electrolytes and urea
- Calcium and magnesium ( metabolic derangements are common in septicaemia and may contribute to myocardial dysfunction)
- Phosphate
- Clotting studies
- Venous blood gas to measure base excess
- Blood culture
- Throat swab culture
- Meningococcal PCR whole blood (EDTA specimen) to send to reference laboratory
| Parameter
| Normal range*
|
| Hb |
10.5 to 13.5 g/dL |
| WCC |
5.0 to 15.0 (×109) |
| Platelets |
150 to 450 (×109) |
| Base Excess† |
0 to -3 mmol/L |
| pH |
7.35 to 7.45 |
| HCO3 |
22 to 26 mmol/L |
| PaO2 |
10 to 13.5kPa or 75 to 100mmHg |
| PaCO2 |
4.6 to 6kPa or 34.5 to 45 mmHg |
| Glucose |
3.6-5.2 mmol/L |
| Urea |
2.5 to 6.0 mmol/L |
| Creatinine |
19 to 43 mmol/L |
| Na |
133 to 146 mmol/L |
| K+ |
3.5 to 5.5mmol/l |
| Mg++ |
0.66 to 1.0 mmol/L |
| Total Calcium |
2.17 to 2.44 mmol/L |
| PO4 |
1.60-2.90 mmol/l |
| INR |
1 |
| PT |
9.9 to 12.5 seconds |
| APTT |
26.0 to 38.0 seconds |
| TT |
9.2 to 15.0 seconds |
| Fibrinogen |
1.7 to 4.0 g/L |
*Please note that normal ranges for many variables can differ among hospitals.
†Blood gas reports measurement of base excess (BE), which, when negative indicates that there is a base deficit (acidosis).
