Failure to recover somatotropic axis function is associated with mortality from pediatric sepsis-induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the associations between mediators of the somatotropic axis and mortality from sepsis-induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in children; and to examine the relationship between immune function and the somatotropic axis in this setting.


METHODS
Retrospective study using banked plasma.


METHODS
Single mixed surgical/medical intensive care unit at a quaternary level children's hospital.


METHODS
A total of 24 children (n = 17 survivors, 7 nonsurvivors) with severe sepsis or septic shock and dysfunction of >or=2 organ systems.


METHODS
None.


RESULTS
Plasma samples were available from days 3, 7, and 14 of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Insulin-like growth factor 1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 levels were measured by chemiluminescence. Immune function was quantified using previously determined ex vivo lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha production levels and absolute lymphocyte counts. Insulin-like growth factor 1 levels were lower in nonsurvivors compared with survivors (p = .004) with the greatest difference seen on day 14 (25 [25-69] ng/mL vs. 314 [123-582] ng/mL; p = .038). insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 levels were reduced similarly over time (p = .019). A drop in plasma insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 level at any time after day 3 of illness resulted in a 35-fold increased odds of death (odds ratio, 35 [1.6-750]; p = .004). Both ex vivo tumor necrosis factor-alpha and absolute lymphocyte count were reduced in nonsurvivors compared with survivors, but these differences occurred earlier (days 3 and 7).


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that prolonged reduction of somatotropic axis function is associated with mortality from pediatric sepsis-induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Reductions in innate and adaptive immune function are common in this population and are associated with failure of recovery of the somatotropic axis, although the nature of these relationships remains incompletely understood.
Marquardt
David J
DJ
Section of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
Knatz
Nina L
NL
Wetterau
Lawrence A
LA
Wewers
Mark D
MD
Hall
Mark W
MW
D000293:Adolescent; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055633:Immune System Phenomena; D007223:Infant; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / Q000097:blood*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality*; D010372:Pediatrics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D018972:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I