Role of Nuclear Factor-Kappa B Activation and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Critically Ill Children.

Mortality prediction is important for cautious monitoring and optimal management of critically ill children. The serum cytokine levels are elevated early in critical illness before the physiological parameters are deranged. This cross-sectional descriptive study included the critically ill children admitted in intensive care unit. Serial serum levels of IL-6, NF-κB and PELOD 2 scoring were measured and compared in 45 children (40 survivors, 5 non-survivors). The median IL-6 levels at 24 h and 72 h were significantly high in non-survivors when compared to survivors [median (IQR) = 1122 (1305) pg/ml vs. 564.39 (153) pg/ml and 1263 (626) pg/ml vs. 82 (191) pg/ml respectively; p <0.0001)]. There was an increasing trend of IL-6 in non-survivors when compared to the survivors. The NF-κB values were comparable. The IL-6 levels correlated well with the illness severity. IL-6 had superior prognostic value compared with NF-κB in predicting mortality.