Prognostic Value of Serum Concentrations of Interleukin-6 and Interleukin-8 in Dermal Burn Injuries Among Pediatric Patients

The primary aim of this study was to determine whether a significant correlation exists between the relative decline in serum concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) between the third and eighth days after injury and the duration of epithelialization in dermal burns among pediatric patients. Additional objectives included analyzing the correlation between total body surface area (TBSA) affected and serum IL-6 and IL-8 levels on the third day after injury, evaluating differences in cytokine dynamics between surgically and conservatively treated patients, and assessing the influence of invasive bacterial presence on IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations. This prospective study included 36 pediatric patients with second-degree dermal burns affecting up to 20% TBSA. Serum concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 were measured on the third, fifth, and eighth days after injury. There was no significant correlation between the relative decline in IL-6 or IL-8 and the duration of epithelialization (P = .713). However, IL-6 and IL-8 levels correlated significantly with TBSA on the third day after injury (P = .037 for IL-6 and P = .001 for IL-8). No significant differences were observed in cytokine dynamics between surgical and conservative treatment groups. The presence of invasive bacteria did not significantly affect IL-6 or IL-8 concentrations.