Cytokines as Predictors of Mortality in Burn Patients with Inhalation Injury
Author Information
Author(s): Gauglitz Gerd G, Finnerty Celeste C, Herndon David N, Mlcak Ronald P, Jeschke Marc G
Primary Institution: Shriners Hospitals for Children
Hypothesis
Are serum cytokines early predictors for the outcome of burn patients with inhalation injuries who do not survive?
Conclusion
Early alterations in serum levels of IL-6, IL-7, and IL-10 may serve as useful predictive markers for identifying high-risk patients after burns with inhalation injury.
Supporting Evidence
- Severely burned patients with inhalation injury have a significantly increased risk for mortality compared to those without.
- Alterations in inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines, contribute to multiple organ failure and mortality.
- IL-6, IL-7, and IL-10 levels correlate with mortality in burn patients with inhalation injury.
Takeaway
Doctors can check certain substances in the blood of burned kids to see if they might get very sick and need extra help.
Methodology
The study involved 13 nonsurviving and 15 surviving severely burned children with inhalation injury, measuring cytokine levels at admission and 5 to 7 days later.
Limitations
The study had a relatively small sample size.
Participant Demographics
All participants were children aged 16 years or younger with burns covering more than 40% of total body surface area.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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