Violations of protein metabolism in children in the acute period of burn disease

Abstract

Introduction . Burn pathology is one of the most serious problems of pediatric surgery, which is associated with a high frequency of injuries, severe clinical course, due to the imperfection of adaptive capacity in children. Among the main target organs in burn disease a special place is occupied by the liver, one of the manifestations of it’s insufficiency are violations of protein metabolism. Purpose of the study. To evaluate the characteristics of protein status in burnt children in the acute period of burn disease. Materials and methods. Were examined in 22 children on 2–6 and 13–16 days after burn injury. The concentrations of total protein, albumin, prealbumin, C-reactive protein, urea, fibrinogen, prothrombin and antithrombin III activity were evaluated. Statistical data processing was performed using the program Statistica 6.1. Results. It is shown that the acute period of burn disease in children occurs on the background of hypo – and dysproteinemia. A decrease in the concentration of the albumin fraction (albumin, prealbumin) and globulins was revealed. The study of individual representatives of the globulin fraction showed an increased content of fibrinogen and C-reactive protein, almost unchanged activity of antithrombin III and a decrease in the average prothrombin activity. At the same time, it is noteworthy that the lowest values of antithrombin activity were observed in children with developed sepsis. The minimum value of prothrombin activity and content of prealbumin discovered in a patient with a fatal outcome. Conclusion. The obtained data indicate the possibility of using the parameters of the protein spectrum as markers of unfavorable (doubtful) prognosis of burn disease.