Therapeutic plasma exchange application in the treatment of sepsis in a pediatric burn center

Abstract

Objective: In our study, we aimed to analyze the use of Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in the manage-ment of septic and Thrombocytopenia-associated multiple-organ failure (TAMOF) in the burn in-tensive care unit of a children’s hospital retrospectively. Material and Methods: Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of the pediatric burn patients who were applied TPE between 1 January 2016 and 1 January 2021 were obtained from the hospital information system and medical records and analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups those who died du-ring follow-up and those who recovered. Results: TPE was performed on 14 burned children (Boy: Girl 5:9). The median age of the patients was 6,6 years (range 1-18 years). The mean TBSA of the patients was 47.76% (20-75). The most common cause of burns was flame burn. The mean hospital stay of the patients was 18.4±12.6 (7-94) days. 4 patients in group 1 recovered and 10 patients in group 2 died during follow-up. There was no statistical difference between the groups in terms of age, gender, and TBSA (p=0.590, 0.890, 0.990). We determined that patients in group 2 were statistically higher in terms of MODS (p=0.030), Pelod score (p=0.001), and expected death rate according to Pelod score (p=0.003). It was observed that the application of TPE in the first 24 hours after the occurrence of TAMOF significantly reduced mortality (p=0.010). Conclusion: TPE should be used as an additional treatment method to conventional therapy in critically ill pati-ents in pediatric burn intensive care units. TPE application in the first 24 hours after the occurrence of TAMOF reduces mortality.