Dietary intake and changes in body weight in burned children

Two groups of children were studied. In the first group serial measurements of body weight were made during the child's stay in hospital. In 11 patients, aged 7 months to 13 years, admitted with 10-58 per cent burns, the maximum weight loss was between 6 and 13 per cent of admission weight. Patients had not regained their admission weight at discharge (8-77 days after injury). In the youngest patients, the discharge weight corresponded with the maximum recorded weight loss. In five of the 11 patients dietary intake was calculated by weighing the foods in meals. This was done on average twice per week. Energy and protein intake was below that recommended for children with burns and often lower than that recommended for healthy children. In the second group of 10 patients, 6 months to 7 years had elapsed since the burn. These children were outpatients attending the Burns Aftercare Clinic. Six of the children were at a lower weight centile position when compared to the position at the time of the accident. The children had not 'caught up' to their original centile position.