Utility of serum concentration of protein S100 at admission to the medical intensive care unit in prediction of permanent neurological injury.

INTRODUCTION: Admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) may be preceded by dramatic events leading to permanent neurological injury. Plasma S100 protein levels are proved to be clinically useful in predicting neurological outcome following cardiac arrest. It is unclear, however, whether this may be extrapolated to a broader population of ICU patients. AIM: To assess the utility of plasma S100 protein in predicting death, permanent neurological damage, or unfavourable outcome at admission to the intensive care unit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The concentration of plasma S100 protein was established in 102 patients on admission to the ICU, regardless of their neurological status and the reason for admission. The majority of patients were admitted with various cardiac diseases, excluding trauma patients. The patients were classified into three groups with the following binary outcomes: permanent neurological deficit or restoration of consciousness; unfavourable outcome (death or survival with permanent neurological deficit) or favourable outcome; and death or survival. RESULTS: Plasma S100 protein levels at admission facilitated the identification of patients who later developed a permanent neurological deficit or regained consciousness (p < 0.0001). All patients with plasma S100 protein over 0.532 µg/l at ICU admission either developed a permanent neurological deficit or had an unfavourable outcome (death or survival with permanent neurological deficit). However, sensitivity for this cut-off value was only 48% and 40%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma S100 protein levels over 0.532 µg/l are specific but not sensitive for both permanent neurological deficit and unfavourable outcome when assessed in a heterogeneous population at admission to the ICU.

[Evaluation of growth hormone treatment results in children with chronic renal failure--one center experience]. / Ocena wyników leczenia hormonem wzrostu dzieci z przewlekla niewydoinoscia nerek--doswiadczenia jednego osrodka.

UNLABELLED: The study aimed at the retrospective evaluation of rhGH treatment results in children with chronic renal failure CRF and short stature treated at Dpt. and Clinic of Pediatrics, Dialysis Unit and Ambulatory in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice. Medical records of 21 children at mean age of 11.0 years (7 girls and 14 boys) were analysed. Eleven children remained on renal replacement therapy. The mean dose of rhGH was 1.1 UI/kg/week). Five children are still on rhGH treatment. RESULTS: Mean growth velocity during rhGH treatment was 15.2 cm/ total period of treatment, 6.98 cm/year. Mean SDS of growth at the beginning of treatment was: -3.25, at the end of treatment: -2.76 (p < 0.02). PTH value 123.6 pg/ml, at the end of treatment 241.29 pg/mL (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: RhGH treatment in children with CRF gives the opportunity to gain the final height compared to healthy children.