[Effect of continuous blood purification on plasma cytokines in children with severe sepsis]

To explore the influence of continuous blood purification (CBP) on plasma cytokines in children with severe sepsis.

A double lumen catheter was inserted into the femoral vein of 21 children with severe sepsis, and CBP was performed using the Baxter BM25 system. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), plasma creatinine (Cr), K(+) and arterial blood gas were measured before and after CBP, and the plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were measured by ELISA at 0, 1, 3, 6, and 24 h after CBP.

BUN and plasma Cr and K(+) levels decreased and HCO(3)(-)increased significantly after CBP (P<0.001), which also resulted in significant reduction of the plasma concentrations of TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-8 and IL-10 (P<0.01). The plasma TNF-alpha, IL-1, and IL-8 levels were significantly lower at 3 h after CBP than those before CBP (P<0.01).

CBP can improve the blood biochemical markers and clear some plasma cytokines in children with severe sepsis.