Acute Traumatic Coagulopathy: The Value of Histone in Pediatric Trauma Patients

Acute traumatic coagulopathy occurs after trauma with impairment of hemostasis and activation of fibrinolysis. Some endogenous substances may play roles in this failure of the coagulation system. Extracellular histone is one such molecule that has recently attracted attention. This study investigated the association between plasma histone-complexed DNA (hcDNA) fragments and coagulation abnormalities in pediatric trauma patients.

This prospective case-control study was conducted in pediatric patients with trauma. Fifty trauma patients and 30 healthy controls were enrolled. Demographic data, anatomic injury characteristics, coagulation parameters, computerized tomography findings, trauma, and International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis disseminated intravascular coagulation (ISTH DIC) scores were recorded. Blood samples for hcDNA were collected and assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Thirty-two patients had multiple trauma, while 18 patients had isolated brain injury. hcDNA levels were significantly higher in trauma patients than healthy controls (0.474 AU and 0.145 AU, respectively). There was an association between plasma hcDNA levels and trauma severity. Thirteen patients had acute coagulopathy of trauma shock (ACoTS). ACoTS patients had higher plasma histone levels than those without ACoTS (0.703 AU and 0.398 AU, respectively). Plasma hcDNA levels were positively correlated with the ISTH DIC score and length of stay in the intensive care unit and were negatively correlated with fibrinogen level.

This study indicated that hcDNA levels were increased in pediatric trauma patients and associated with the early phase of coagulopathy. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of hcDNA levels in mortality and disseminated intravascular coagulation.