Changes in serum transferrin level in the clinical course of thermal burns

Abstract

Introduction: Patients with severe burns present major multisystem pathophysiological changes. Pathophysiological imbalances include severe hypovolemia secondary to plasma loss, hypermetabolism and immune dysfunction. It is associated with septic complications, multiple organ failure syndrome, with triggers the systemic inflammatory response and infection. The uncontrolled development of these phenomena can lead to MSOF and, in some cases, to death. Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of 40 patients with thermal bums which were in treatment in the Bums, Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Department, Institute of Mother and Child, Department of Surgery, orthopedics and pediatric anesthesiology of IP SMPhU, “Nicolae Testemitanu”. Results: Our study demonstrated that children with burn disease, presented an increased serum transferrin level at all stages of clinical course of the disease, but only the values recorded on admission, during the toxemia and on discharge were statistically relevant (+9 % compared to control group, p < 0.05). Increased transferrin level can be seen as a response reaction to thermal injury, which contributes to increase the nonspecific resistance of the organism. It is proved that the physiological role of transferrin is essential for the activation of the iron transportation cell renewal and proliferation, the stimulation of iron - containing hemic proteins synthesis, particularly the ribonucleotidreductaza - enzyme which catalyzes dezoxiribonucleotide synthesis and controls the cell DNA synthesis. Conclusions: We concluded that increasing transferrin can be seen as a reaction in response to thermal injury and to the decrease the antimicrobial defense mechanisms, represented also by neutropenia, as circulating neutrophils are responsible for removing bacteria from the bloodstream.