Energy metabolism in anesthetized children with burns

Energy dynamics in 10 burned children were studied to determine cause and effect relationships between rates of heat production, heat loss and plasma catecholamine concentrations when thermoregulatory responses were depressed by methoxyflurane anesthesia. Rapid cooling of the burned children was due to increased heat loss during the period of anesthesia. Heat production increased significantly, although not enough to counterbalance the increased heat loss reflecting a block in central thermoregulation by general anesthesia. Mean plasma catecholamine concentrations decreased during general anesthesia as compared with baseline values. Heat production attempted to track heat loss during a period in which plasma catecholamine levels declined. An increased rate of heat loss is concluded to be primary stimulus for increased metabolic acitvity after thermal injury.