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Updated: May 2, 2026
Pseudofracture: An Acute Peripheral Tissue Trauma Model
Published on: April 18, 2011
Interleukin-6 as inflammatory marker referring to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in severely injured children
Hagen Andruszkow, Janika Fischer, Michael Sasse
1Department for Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Medical Center Marburg, Baldingerstr, 35043 Marburg, Germany. frink@med.uni-marburg.de.
Insights
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in children with severe trauma correlate with injury severity and the development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Early IL-6 monitoring may aid in predicting MODS in pediatric trauma patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric critical care medicine
- Trauma research
- Inflammatory biomarkers
Background:
- Prognostic markers for pediatric multiple organ failure (MODS) are currently lacking.
- The inflammatory response in pediatric trauma may be unique compared to adults.
- Investigating Interleukin-6 (IL-6) as a potential pivotal marker in pediatric trauma is warranted.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if Interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a significant role in pediatric trauma.
- To assess the correlation between IL-6 levels, injury severity, and the incidence of MODS in traumatized children.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study including children under 18 with Injury Severity Score >9.
- Organ function assessed using the Marshall score.
- Repeated daily measurement of IL-6 levels throughout hospital admission.
Main Results:
- 59 children were included; 11.9% developed MODS.
- Increased IL-6 levels correlated with injury severity (r = 0.522, p < 0.001).
- Early IL-6 levels (first two days) showed a significant correlation with MODS development (p < 0.045).
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first evidence linking IL-6 levels to injury severity in pediatric trauma.
- IL-6 levels are correlated with the incidence of MODS in traumatized children.
- IL-6 may serve as a predictive biomarker for MODS in pediatric trauma.
Background:
Despite the suggestion that the inflammatory response in traumatized children is functionally unique, prognostic markers predicting pediatric multiple organ failure are lacking. We intended to verify whether Interleukin-6 (IL-6) displays a pivotal role in pediatric trauma similar to adults.
Methods:
Traumatized children less than 18 years of age with an Injury Severity Score >9 points and consecutive admission to the hospital's pediatric intensive care unit were included. Organ function was evaluated according to the score by Marshall et al. while IL-6 levels were measured repetitively every morning.
Results:
59 traumatized children were included (8.4 ± 4.4 years; 57.6% male gender). Incidence of MODS was 11.9%. No differences were found referring to age, gender, injury distribution or overall injury severity between children with and without MODS. Increased IL-6 levels during hospital admission were associated with injury severity (Spearman correlation: r = 0.522, p < 0.001), while an inconsistent association towards the development of MODS was proven at that time point (Spearman correlation: r = 0.180, p = 0.231; Pearson's correlation: r = 0.297, p = 0.045). However, increased IL-6 levels during the first two days were no longer associated with the injury severity but a significant correlation to MODS was measured.
Conclusions:
The presented prospective study is the first providing evidence for a correlation of IL-6 levels with injury severity and the incidence of MODS in traumatized children.
