OBJECTIVE To find out whether preoperative serum concentrations of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) can indicate the general condition of sick children and can predict their postoperative inflammatory response.
DESIGN:
Non-randomised study.
SETTING:
University hospital, Japan.
SUBJECTS:
41 children who required operation and 41 healthy controls.
INTERVENTIONS:
Samples of peripheral venous blood were obtained during the operation.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Circulating concentrations of HGF, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP); neutrophil counts; and nutritional variables including serum cholinesterase, albumin, and body weight: ideal body weight ratio.
RESULTS:
The mean serum concentration of HGF in the patients was significantly higher than in the normal controls. Preoperative HGF was related to the preoperative nutritional state, the postoperative IL-6 response, and the development of infective complications.
CONCLUSIONS:
The serum HGF concentration may be a useful variable for evaluating general condition and predicting perioperative surgical stress in sick children.
        
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Citations formats
Uchida K, Miki C, Urata H, Kusunoki M (2001) Serum concentration of hepatocyte growth factor predicts perioperative surgical stress in children Eur J Surg167: 97-101