Early hypoalbuminemia is associated with 28-day mortality in severely burned patients: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract Background Hypoalbuminemia is a frequent condition in the first 24 h after a severe burn injury and is associated with worse outcomes. Methodology We investigated the relation between very early hypoalbuminemia ( Results 73 severely burned patients were included, with a delay of admission of 3 (2–4) h. In a context of early exogenous supply of albumin, admission and 4H Albuminemia (Alb4 h) were significantly lower in deceased patients (respectively, 34 (29–37) vs 27 (23–30) g/l; p = 0.009 and 27 (24–32) vs 21 (17–27) g/l; p = 0.022) whereas albuminemia ≥6 h were not. The best threshold value of Alb4 h to discriminate 28-day mortality was 23 g/l. Patients with an Alb4 h  Conclusion In severely burned patients receiving early albumin supply, early hypoalbuminemia is associated with higher mortality whereas later albuminemia (≥6 h) is not. Exploration of whether early albumin infusion (8–12 h post injury) may alter clinical outcome is warranted.