Diagnostic Interpretation of Serum Protein Abnormalities in Thermal Burns

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Abstract
Serum electrophoretic patterns, immunoglobulin levels, and serum transport protein concentrations were determined serially during the first 60 days postburn in acutely burned children and were compared with a control group returning for reconstructive surgery. Serum protein electrophoresis, demonstrated to be the method of choice for clinical monitoring of the condition of the burned children, showed prolonged hypoalbuminemia, hyper-α2-globulinemia, and hypo-γ-globulinemia. Immunoglobulin G accounted for the principal changes seen in electrophoresis. The tendency for immunoglobulin reduction was usually confined to the first week postburn, and minor differences existed among children of different age groups. Serum transport proteins manifested several age-independent patterns, the clinical correlations of which remain to be elucidated. The condition of acutely burned patients should be monitored by serum protein electrophoresis. This should be done more frequently in younger children, especially during the first week postburn, with particular attention to the albumin and γ-globulin fractions.

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