Safety of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in healing pediatric severe burns

We explored the safety of recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) for healing burns in children. Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: the experimental group received external rhGM-CSF gel, and the control group received rhGM-CSF gel matrix components, applied to the burn surface. Neither group was given any other drugs that promote wound healing. Each day we recorded the pulse, body temperature, and respiration status in the two groups. We detected the blood routine, urine routine, and hepatic and renal function before the patients received drug treatment and after 72 h. The wound scab and healing states in the two groups were recorded every 4 days to evaluate wound healing rate and time taken for complete healing. Adverse reactions and their rate of occurrence were also recorded. The median time of healing was 15 days in the experimental group and 19 days in the control group (log-rank χ(2) = 5.139, P < 0.05). After 10 days, the experimental group healing rate was consistently higher than that of the control group (significantly different using intuitive analysis), suggesting the experimental group method was more effective. There were no obvious adverse reactions. There was no significant difference between the blood routine, urine routine, and liver and kidney function in the two groups before the treatment and after 3 days (P > 0.05). Compared with saline treatment of severe burns, rhGM-CSF can effectively shorten the healing time without significant adverse reactions, and is an effective and safe treatment for burns in children.