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Nutritional indicators of postburn bacteremic sepsis
JPEN. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
|November 1, 1981
Summary
Nutritional assessment can predict sepsis in burn patients. Low serum albumin, transferrin, total lymphocyte count, and anergy indicate a higher risk of septic episodes.
Area of Science:
- Burn injury
- Critical care medicine
- Nutritional science
Background:
- Sepsis is a significant complication in burn patients.
- Early prediction of sepsis is crucial for timely intervention.
- Nutritional status may influence sepsis development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive value of nutritional assessment parameters for sepsis in burn patients.
- To identify specific nutritional markers associated with septic episodes.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-two burn patients (mean age 41 years, 19% burn size) were studied.
- Nutritional parameters assessed on postburn day 10 included serum albumin, transferrin, nitrogen balance, total lymphocyte count, skin test reactivity, and percentage of ideal body weight.
- Statistical analysis was performed to identify predictive parameters.
Main Results:
- Serum albumin < 3.0 g/dL, total lymphocyte count < 1500/mm³, anergy, and serum transferrin < 150 mg/dL were significant predictors of sepsis (p < 0.001).
- Nitrogen balance and percentage of ideal body weight did not discriminate between patients who developed sepsis and those who did not.
Conclusions:
- Specific nutritional assessment parameters are valuable in predicting sepsis in burn patients.
- Serum albumin, transferrin, total lymphocyte count, and skin test reactivity can aid in early sepsis risk stratification.
- These findings support the integration of nutritional monitoring into sepsis surveillance protocols for burn care.