Sera levels of reactive C protein (PCR), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) were analyzed in pediatric critical patients. Nineteen children with different infections between 1 and 36 months of age and assisted by the Unit of Intensive Care were evaluated. Samples of whole blood were collected from fasting patients before the administration of pharmacologic therapy and the nutritional intervention. PCR was measured by single radial immunodiffusion technique; both minerals were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry and the ratio Cu/Zn was calculated. Data were compared with international reference values for the same range of age. The results expressed as range are: PCR: 0.2-7.0 mg/dL; Cu: 0.4-2,2 µg/mL; Zn: 0.3-2.7 µg/mL; Cu/Zn: 0.3-2.1. Reference Values: PCR: < 0.8 mg/dL; Cu: 0.8-1.5 µg/mL; Zn: 0.65-1.4 µg/ mL Cu/Zn: < 1. Before the administration of pharmacologic therapy and the nutritional intervention, it was observed that 84% of patients showed PCR > 0.8 mg/dL; on the other hand, 63% of the population presented a Cu/Zn ratio higher than 1.0; it has been accepted that ratios higher than 1.0 are compatible with an increase in mortality. These results and previous observations would indicate an altered nutritional status, and stress the need to apply an adequate immunonutritional support, to optimize these patients' treatment.
Se estudiaron 19 niños entre 1 y 36 meses de vida, internados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos (UCIP) del Hospital "Dr. Pedro de Elizalde". Las muestras de sangre fueron extraídas en ayunas, al ingreso en UCIP. Se determinó la concentración de proteína C reactiva (PCR) -por inmunodifusión radial cuantitativa-, cobre (Cu) y zinc (Zn) -por absorción atómica-, calculándose la relación Cu/Zn. Como valores de referencia (VR) se utilizaron los reportados por la bibliografía para el mismo grupo etario. Los resultados expresados como rangos fueron: PCR: 0,2-7,0 mg/dL; Cu: 0,4-2,2 µg/mL; Zn: 0,3-2,7 µg/mL; Cu/Zn: 0,3-2,1. VR: PCR: < 0,8 mg /dL; Cu: 0,8-1,5 µg/mL; Zn: 0,65-1,4 µg/mL; Cu/Zn < 1. Los hallazgos preliminares muestran que el 63% de la población estudiada presenta una relación Cu/Zn > 1 y el 84% PCR > 0,8 mg/dL. Estos resultados, junto a observaciones previas, indican un alterado estado nutricional y señalan la necesidad de implementar un adecuado apoyo inmunonutricional junto a la terapia farmacológica, para optimizar el tratamiento de estos pacientes y lograr una rápida y favorable evolución.