445 LOW SERUM 3,3′,5′ TRIIODOTHYRONINE (REVERSE T₃) CONCENTRATION IN BURNED CHILDREN AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO NUTRITIONAL STATE

Abstract

We studied the correlation between protein turnover and serum thyroid hormone levels in 10 children, age 1-16 yrs., with severe burn injuries. Whole body protein synthesis (S) and breakdown (C) were determined using an (¹⁵N) glycine infusion technique. Patients were maintained in good nutritional status as evidenced by a net anabolism (S,C) in 14 of 21 studies. There was no change in mean levels of serum 3,3′,5′ triiodothyronine (T3), a decrease in serum thyroxine (T₄) and a suppression of serum reverse T₃ levels.

The difference between protein synthesis and breakdown (S minus C) was negatively correlated with the rT₃/T₃ ratio (r=-.0.46,p .05). Thus, a decrease in N balance was associated with a rise in rT₃/T₃ ratio, similar to observations made in humans during fasting or severe stress. These studies suggest that the rT₃/T₃ ratio may be useful clinically as an indicator of relative dietary energy deficiency.

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