Changes of serum trace elements in early stage trauma and its correlation with injury severity score.

BACKGROUND: Severe trauma can cause secondary multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and death. The absolute and relative concentrations of trace elements in both critical care and conventional treatment, which can lead to acute trace element deficiency, constitute an important mechanism of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS)/multiple organ failure (MOF).

METHODS: We investigated the changes in serum Cu, Zn, and Fe in early stage trauma of patients with the high injury severity score (ISS) and correlated the change in trace elements with ISS. Blood samples were collected within an hour of admittance and the patients were scored according to ISS. We collected clinical data records and ISS score values, and determined serum Fe, Zn, and Cu by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the serum Zn and Fe values of trauma patients were decreased. There was no significant difference in serum Cu between the patients and the control group. In the trauma group, the serum Zn and Fe were lower than that of the minor injury group, and the difference of Cu concentration was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS: Serum Zn and Fe levels in patients with multiple trauma fractures were significantly different than those in the normal group, suggesting that Zn and Fe need to be monitored in the early stage of trauma.