Oxidative stress in burnt children.

BACKGROUND One of the effects of burn injury is production of reactive oxygen species increasing general-structural damage. Such a condition is called oxidative stress. The purpose of this research was to find out whether oxidative stress is present in burnt children treated routinely and, if so, in which phase of the disease it is the most severe and how long it persists. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was carried out on a group of 84 burnt children. The patients were divided into 2 groups: lightly burnt (LB-N:55) and moderately to severely burnt (SB-N:29). Blood samples were collected based on hospitalization period within the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 7th and 21st day, respectively, following the injury. Total antioxidative capacity (TAC) in plasma and concentration of lipid peroxidation products (TBARS) in red blood cells were estimated. The test results were compared to control group of 40 healthy children. RESULTS The research showed a statistically significant decrease in TAC in both groups of burnt children. The TBARS concentration was increased in both groups within the 1st day following burn injury and maintained the high level throughout the research continuation. No statistically significant differences between LB and SB groups were recognized. CONCLUSIONS The observed changes in the tested parameters are attributable to oxidative stress occurring in burn disease. For this reason, burn--injured children are recommended to receive exogenous antioxidants.