Predictive value of serum lactate dehydrogenase in head injury

Serum total lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was estimated serially for up to 15 days in 110 patients with head injuries who had no extraneural injury. Increase in LDH activity generally indicated the degree of parenchymal brain damage. The prognostic value of LDH was established by correlating its activity with clinical criteria such as duration of unconsciousness and post-traumatic amnesia, type of brain damage, and quality of survival. A significant rise in LDH activity suggested severe brain damage and poor prognosis.