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Serum concentration of hepatocyte growth factor predicts perioperative surgical stress in children
Insights
Preoperative serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) levels in children indicate their general health and predict postoperative inflammation. Higher HGF levels correlate with poorer nutritional status and increased infection risk.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Assessing the general condition and predicting the inflammatory response in pediatric surgical patients is crucial for optimal care.
- Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a key regulator of cell growth and tissue repair, but its role in pediatric surgical stress is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether preoperative serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) concentrations can serve as an indicator of general condition in sick children.
- To determine if HGF levels can predict the postoperative inflammatory response in pediatric surgical patients.
Main Methods:
- A non-randomized study was conducted involving 41 children undergoing surgery and 41 healthy controls at a university hospital in Japan.
- Peripheral venous blood samples were collected during surgery to measure serum concentrations of HGF, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP).
- Nutritional status was assessed using serum cholinesterase, albumin, and body weight: ideal body weight ratio, alongside neutrophil counts.
Main Results:
- Patients exhibited significantly higher mean serum HGF concentrations compared to healthy controls.
- Preoperative HGF levels demonstrated a correlation with the preoperative nutritional state.
- Elevated HGF was associated with the postoperative IL-6 response and the development of infective complications.
Conclusions:
- Serum HGF concentration may be a valuable biomarker for evaluating the general condition of sick children.
- HGF levels show potential for predicting perioperative surgical stress and outcomes in pediatric patients.
Objective:
To find out whether preoperative serum concentrations of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) can indicate the general condition of sick children and can predict their postoperative inflammatory response.
Design:
Non-randomised study.
Setting:
University hospital, Japan.
Subjects:
41 children who required operation and 41 healthy controls.
Interventions:
Samples of peripheral venous blood were obtained during the operation.
Main Outcome Measures:
Circulating concentrations of HGF, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP); neutrophil counts; and nutritional variables including serum cholinesterase, albumin, and body weight: ideal body weight ratio.
Results:
The mean serum concentration of HGF in the patients was significantly higher than in the normal controls. Preoperative HGF was related to the preoperative nutritional state, the postoperative IL-6 response, and the development of infective complications.
Conclusions:
The serum HGF concentration may be a useful variable for evaluating general condition and predicting perioperative surgical stress in sick children.