1683 SERUM CARNITIE IN REYE'S SYNDROME(RS): SEQUENTIAL ANALYSES DURING ACUTE AND RECOVERY PHASES AND CORRELATION WITH OUTCOME

Previous reports have documented normal values for serum carnitine in children with RS. We have performed sequential analyses of serum carnitine in 14 children with RS. Eight were in stage III, five in stage IV, and one in stage II coma, (NIH Cons. Dev. Conf.,1981). The series was subdivided into three groups. A)survival without neurologic sequelae; B)survival with sequelae; C)died.Results: compared to controls, Mean±S.E. Comparison of inter-group means: A vs. B, p<.05; A vs. C, p<.05; B vs. C, NS.Elevation of serum carnitine persisted for 44-48 hours in three patients with stage III or IV RS. Sequential monitoring of serum values may be helpful in predicting patient outcome. The wide variation in serum carnitine levels in children with RS may reflect varying degrees of severity of hepatocyte injury.