['To find out whether preoperative serum concentrations of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) can indicate the general condition of sick children and can predict their postoperative inflammatory response.', 'Non-randomised study.', 'University hospital, Japan.', '41 children who required operation and 41 healthy controls.', 'Samples of peripheral venous blood were obtained during the operation.', 'Circulating concentrations of HGF, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP); neutrophil counts; and nutritional variables including serum cholinesterase, albumin, and body weight: ideal body weight ratio.', 'The mean serum concentration of HGF in the patients was significantly higher than in the normal controls. Preoperative HGF was related to the preoperative nutritional state, the postoperative IL-6 response, and the development of infective complications.'] Does serum concentration of hepatocyte growth factor predict perioperative surgical stress in children?