The systemic immune-inflammation index and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in pediatric burned patients – a pilot study

Introduction
The aim was to assess the usefulness of blood analytical markers such as systemic immune- inflammation index (SII) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in pediatric burned patients.

Material and methods
The study group included 73 children (23 girls and 50 boys; mean age: 3.83; SD: 4.77; min–max: 0–17 years old) hospitalized due to burns. A retrospective analysis of selected complete blood cell count parameters (leucocytes; platelets – PLT; SII; NLR) collected on the day of injury and selected parameters of burns (extent, depth of the injury, duration of hospitalization, type of treatment) was performed.

Results
Children with burns that exceeded 10% total body surface area had higher levels of leucocytes than children with less extensive burns (p = 0.023). The PLT count on the day of injury was higher in children with burn wounds that required surgical treatment (p = 0.021). The analysis of groups of children that differed in the values of NLR revealed that children with NLR over 3 were hospitalized longer (on average 3.5 days) than children whose NLR was lower than 3 (p = 0.048). It was found that children with SII over 250 were hospitalized longer than children with SII less than 250 (p = 0.019). There were no differences in the type of treatment (p = 0.21), but children with SII over 250 had more often full thickness burns (p = 0.036). Children under 2 years old with SII over 200 more often required surgical treatment than children with SII less than 200 (p = 0.005). Children under 2 years old with SII over 200 more often had full thickness burn wounds than children with SII less than 200 (p = 0.045). Children under 2 years old with NLR over 2 had more extensive burn wounds (p = 0.049) than children with NLR under 2.

Conclusions
The systemic immune-inflammation index and NLR can be useful in assessment of pediatric patients with burns. Further studies on larger groups including children with major burns are necessary.