ABSTRACT
Sixteen severely burned patients, divided into four groups according to the extent of their burns, were studied while being fed a special diet used as a supplemental nutritional support. The first group of two patients comprised those with burns covering less than 20 percent of the body surface area (BSA). The second group of six patients comprised those with burns covering 21-40 percent BSA. The third group of six patients had burns covering 41-60 percent BSA, and the fourth group of two patients had burns more than 60 percent BSA. The special diet for burn patients was given as a supplemental diet between meals or with meals to fulfil each patient’s demand for calories and protein. Enteral feeding was started as soon as the gastrointestinal function could be tolerated. We found that the special diet for burn patients raised the positive nitrogen balance in all group and kept weight loss to a minimum. For those burned extensively, particularly those with burns exceeding 40 percent BSA, some from of parenteral nutrition was needed as a secondary supplemental diet. Serum albumin gradually rose to the normal levels tended to be slightly elevated. Unfortunately, we have not been able to follow the changes in body chemistry after the patients were discharged from the hospital.