[The euthyroid sick syndrome in severe acute illness]

Serum thyroid hormone profile in critically Ill children

OBJECTIVE

To study thyroid hormone profile in critically ill children and its correlation to disease severity and clinical outcome.

METHODS

Total serum triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and TSH were estimated at admission and discharge from PICU/ just before death.

RESULTS

Mean T3 levels in cases were significantly lower than controls and lower in patients who expired, both at admission and just prior to death. Mean T4 levels were lower in cases, and just prior to death. Mean TSH levels were not different in cases and controls; or in survived and expired cases. When both T3 and T4 are low, mortality risk increases 30 times. Serum T3, T4 and TSH values improved in patients who survived unlike in those who expired. Age, sex, duration of hospital stay, ventilation, inotropic support, and PICU stay did not show any correlation with patient outcome or thyroid hormone profile. PRISM score at 24 hours and T4 levels in the second sample were significant predictors of survival.

CONCLUSION

T3 levels reflect the patient's clinical status, T4 levels can predict survival.

Is pituitary failure the real therapeutic target in septic shock?

Severe sepsis and septic shock have been part of intensivists' major challenges since the birth of the specialty. This clinical picture is followed by the development of a multiple organ failure syndrome. Our working hypothesis today is that multiple organ failures develop due to a systemic intravascular malignant inflammatory response. This article proposes an alternative understanding of the problem based on some of the recent data and understandings of non glycemic, non insulinemic endocrine dysfunction in severe sepsis and septic shock. Our presentation of selected literature supports the presence of a decreased production and activity in steroids, thyroid hormones, growth hormone, vasopressin and prolactin in septic shock. These hormones have important and synergistic functions. The disruption of which can lead to multiple organ failure in septic shock. Developing research focusing on the broad hypothalamic and pituitary functions could improve our understanding of metabolic derangements in severe sepsis and septic shock and thus provide new therapeutic options. These new therapies based on hormonal replacement are currently available at low cost and could improve outcomes.