Nutritional Management in Severe Burn Patients: A Case Report

Patients with severe burns frequently experience inadequate nutrition due to hypermetabolism and its associated complications, substantially increasing the risk of malnutrition. This case report describes the nutritional intervention for a 54-year-old male patient admitted with total body surface area burns of 42.4%, including 15% third-degree burns caused by flames. It highlights the importance of active nutritional support and continuous monitoring during the management of complex burn cases. Upon admission, the patient's nutritional intake was restricted due to fluid resuscitation, frequent surgeries requiring fasting, renal dysfunction, and gastrointestinal complications. Nutritional requirements were calculated using the Harris-Benedict and Toronto equations; however, it was difficult to meet the targeted nutritional demands during the initial Nutrition Support Team (NST) consultation due to renal dysfunction and hemodynamic instability. Subsequent efforts, including oral nutritional supplements and adjunctive parenteral nutrition, were implemented; however, multifactorial issues, such as systemic deterioration and complications, further exacerbated the patient's nutritional status. As a result, the patient experienced a 15% reduction in his usual body weight, decreasing from 100 kg to 85 kg. This case underscores the vital role of proactive NST involvement and ongoing nutritional intervention in the management of patients with severe burns and complex complications.