Descriptive study on the serum levels of inflammatory markers in children with nutritional disorders and clinical syndromes of infection.

Purpose. To evaluate the serum levels of infl ammatory markers in children with alterations in nutritional status and the correlation of these markers with clinical diagnoses of infection. Methods. We conducted a prospective study on 120 children admitted to the Pediatric Clinic I Tg. Mures. We have followed the nutritional status and the presence or absence of infectious signs, the children being evaluated anthropometrically and by laboratory analysis (suggestive infection markers). Results. Underweight was found in 28.3% of children, and 24.2% were overweight. Clinically, at least one infectious syndrome has been identified in 31.7% of children, ESR being increased in these children compared to the healthy ones (p=0.034); no differences were observed in the other serological markers. We have found IL-6 and IL-8 values below the detection limit especially in underweight children with diagnosis of infection; significantly higher values of IL-6 and IL-8 were found in overweight children with a diagnosis of associated infection. Conclusions. Interleukins have significantly lower values in underweight children, even in the context of a possible infection. In order to confirm or infirm an infectious syndrome, the clinical judgment is not enough and the corroboration with complex laboratory data is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]