Cytokine Storm in a Massively Burned Pediatric Patient

TL;DR

A 5-year-old child with severe burns experienced multiple cytokine storms, which were successfully treated with aggressive interventions.

Contribution

This paper presents a novel case report of cytokine storm in a pediatric burn patient and discusses its treatment.

Findings

A 5-year-old patient with 91% burns experienced three cytokine storms during hospitalization.

Aggressive treatment led to successful resolution of the cytokine storms.

Cytokine storm should be considered in burn patients showing classic signs and symptoms.

Abstract

Cytokine storm can occur in many different clinical conditions and lack of recognition can lead to death. While cytokines have been measured and trended in burn patients, cytokine storm has not been widely discussed or its treatment reported. We present herein the diagnosis and the treatment of a 5-year-old, 91% burn patient, who developed cytokine storm 3 times during his hospital course. Aggressive treatment led to a successful resolution. Cytokine storm should be entertained in patients who develop classic storm signs and symptoms, along with supporting laboratory. Treatment should be tailored to the patients’ clinical picture. More study is warranted to define cytokine storm as well as its treatment in burn patients.

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