Energy and protein provisions for thermally injured children revisited: an outcome-based approach for determining

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K Prelack1, J J Cunningham, R L Sheridan

  • 1Shriners Burns Institute-Boston Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital 02114, USA.

The Journal of Burn Care & Rehabilitation
|March 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Adequate energy and protein intake are crucial for healing severe burns in children. Higher energy provisions (1.7x predicted basal metabolic rate) significantly improved weight status at discharge.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Burn Care
  • Nutritional Support
  • Metabolic Rate

Background:

  • Severe burns in children present significant challenges for wound healing and nutritional status.
  • Maintaining adequate energy and protein intake is critical for recovery and preventing complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between energy and protein intake and wound healing and weight maintenance in severely burned children.
  • To determine optimal nutritional targets for pediatric burn patients.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 27 pediatric patients with >40% total body surface area burns.
  • Documented actual energy and protein intake over a 4-week period.
  • Assessed wound healing and weight status at discharge.

Main Results:

  • Mean energy intake was 140% of predicted basal metabolic rate (PBMR); mean protein intake was 2.8 g/kg/day.
  • Satisfactory wound healing observed in most patients (≤20% open area at 4 weeks).
  • Higher energy intake (≥1.7x PBMR) correlated with significantly higher discharge weights (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Energy intake around 1.2x PBMR with at least 3 g/kg protein supports adequate wound healing.
  • Energy intake of approximately 1.7x PBMR enhances weight status in pediatric burn patients.
  • Optimized nutritional strategies are essential for improving outcomes in severe pediatric burns.

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