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Propranolol does not increase inflammation, sepsis, or infectious episodes in severely burned children

Marc G Jeschke1, William B Norbury, Celeste C Finnerty

  • 1Department of Surgery, Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of Texas Medical Branch, TX 77550, USA. majeschk@utmb.edu

The Journal of Trauma
|April 7, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Propranolol reduces hypermetabolism in pediatric burn patients without increasing infection or sepsis risk. This beta-blocker treatment also lowered inflammatory markers like tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1beta.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric critical care medicine
  • Burn management
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Propranolol, a nonselective beta-blocker, is known to reduce hypermetabolism in severe burn patients.
  • Concerns exist regarding propranolol's potential to impair immune function and increase inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of propranolol on infection, sepsis, and inflammation in pediatric patients with severe burns.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective, intent-to-treat study involving 245 pediatric burn patients (143 controls, 102 propranolol).
  • Data collected included demographics, burn characteristics, infectious episodes, sepsis incidence, resting energy expenditure (REE), and serum cytokine levels.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in demographics, burn size, or length of stay between groups.
  • Propranolol significantly decreased REE.
  • Lower incidence of infection (21% vs. 30%) and sepsis (7% vs. 10%) in the propranolol group.
  • Propranolol significantly reduced serum tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1beta levels.

Conclusions:

  • Propranolol treatment effectively attenuates hypermetabolism in pediatric burn patients.
  • Propranolol administration does not lead to an increased incidence of infection or sepsis.
  • Propranolol demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects by reducing key cytokine levels.
Abstract

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