Serum concentration of hepatocyte growth factor predicts perioperative surgical stress in children

Objective: To find out whether preoperative serum concentrations of hepatoc yte 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 ope ration 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 varia bles including serum cholinesterase, albumin, and body weight: ideal body w eight ratio. Results: The mean serum concentration of HGF in the patients was significan tly higher than in the normal controls. Preoperative HGF was related to the preoperative nutritional state, the postoperative IL-6 response, and the d evelopment of infective complications. Conclusions: The serum HGF concentration may be a useful variable for evalu ating general condition and predicting perioperative surgical stress in sic k children.