Replacement Therapy with Human Protein C Concentrate in Paediatric Septic Patients

Sepsis and its sequelae are a major cause of mortality and morbidity in intensive care units. Coagulation protein C (PC) is reduced in > 85% of septic patients and there is a correlation between PC levels and morbidity and mortality. The aim of our study is to asses the efficacy and safety of replacement therapy with human protein C concentrate (Ceprotin, Baxter) in children and neonate with sepsis. Eight children, all presented with septic shock, were treated with the PC concentrate in addition to conventional therapy: 5 preterms, 1 term newborn, 2 children. In six of them PC levels rose to normality with a concomitant clinical improvement, two patients died without completing the treatment because of fulminant sepsis. No adverse effects were observed with the PC concentrate administration.