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Malnutrition among pediatric burn patients: A consequence of delayed admissions

Maggie L Dylewski1, Kathy Prelack, Joan M Weber

  • 1Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston, MA, USA. mdylewski@shrinenet.org

Burns : Journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries
|June 16, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Malnutrition is common in pediatric burn patients with delayed treatment, affecting 61% of those admitted over 3 weeks post-injury. Prompt care, including nutrition, is crucial for healing and improving outcomes in these critical cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Burn Care
  • Nutritional Support
  • Wound Healing

Background:

  • Early burn treatment is vital for prognosis, as open wounds cause muscle catabolism and inflammation.
  • Delayed definitive care in pediatric burn patients can lead to complications.
  • Malnutrition is a significant concern in severe burn cases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence and management of injury-associated malnutrition in pediatric burn patients.
  • To analyze the relationship between delayed transfer and malnutrition status.
  • To evaluate nutritional provision and infection rates in malnourished versus well-nourished pediatric burn patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of medical records for pediatric burn patients (n=36) admitted ≥3 weeks post-burn (Jan 2003-Jan 2009).
  • Inclusion criteria: initial total body surface area (TBSA) burn ≥20%.
  • Patients classified as well-nourished or malnourished; data on transfer delay, nutritional intake, and infection analyzed.

Main Results:

  • 61% (n=22) of patients presented with malnutrition.
  • Malnourished patients experienced significantly longer delays in transfer (26-166 days) compared to well-nourished patients (21-138 days).
  • Nutritional provision (protein, kilocalories) and infection incidence did not differ significantly between groups.

Conclusions:

  • Malnutrition is frequent in pediatric burn patients with delayed admissions.
  • Adequate surgical care, infection control, and nutritional support are essential for effective wound healing.
  • Addressing delayed transfer is critical to prevent malnutrition and improve recovery.

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