Relationship between release of beta-endorphin, cortisol, and trauma severity in children with blunt torso and extremity trauma.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the levels of beta-endorphin and cortisol in children with multiple injuries and to determine whether there is any difference between and compare the severity of trauma and beta-endorphin and cortisol release as calculated using Pediatric Trauma Score (PTS).


METHODS
During a 10-month period, 80 children with multiple injuries admitted to a University Hospital's Pediatric Surgery Department were studied. Blood samples were obtained immediately at admission and a PTS of each patient was calculated. The correlation between PTS and hormonal values were searched. The children were classified into two groups according to their PTS. Group 1 had PTS >8 and group 2 had PTS < or =8. The two groups were also compared with respect to their beta-endorphin and cortisol values.


RESULTS
There was a linear correlation between beta-endorphin and cortisol values and the injury severity. The levels were higher in the patients with more severe injuries. There were 60 patients in group 1 and 20 patients in group 2. Their ages were 9.2 +/- 4.1 and 9.7 +/- 4.2 years, respectively (p > 0.05). The mean PTS for group 1 patients was 11 +/- 0.8 and for group 2 patients was 7.4 +/- 1.2 (p < 0.001). The mean plasma beta-endorphin concentrations were 124.4 +/- 114.4 pg/mL in group 1 patients and 261.6 +/- 231.2 pg/mL in group 2 (p < 0.001). The respective plasma cortisol concentrations in the two groups were 22.5 +/- 10.3 microg/dL and 30.8 +/- 17.2 microg/dL (p < 0.05), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study show that the plasma beta-endorphin and cortisol levels are elevated in children after blunt trauma and the degree of elevation is related to the injury severity.
Okur
Hamit
H
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Erciyes University School of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey. okurh@erciyes.edu.tr
Küçükaydn
Mustafa
M
Ozokutan
Bülent Hayri
BH
Muhtaroğlu
Sabahattin
S
Kazez
Ahmet
A
Turan
Cüneyt
C
D000293:Adolescent; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005121:Extremities / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D006854:Hydrocortisone