Geometric framework reveals that a moderate protein, high carbohydrate intake is optimal for severe burn injury in mice.

Nutritional therapy is a cornerstone of burns management. The optimal macronutrient intake for wound healing after burn injury has not been identified, although high-energy, high-protein diets are favoured. The present study aimed to identify the optimal macronutrient intake for burn wound healing. The geometric framework (GF) was used to analyse wound healing after a 10 % total body surface area contact burn in mice ad libitum fed one of the eleven high-energy diets, varying in macronutrient composition with protein (P5-60 %), carbohydrate (C20-75 %) and fat (F20-75 %). In the GF study, the optimal ratio for wound healing was identified as a moderate-protein, high-carbohydrate diet with a protein:carbohydrate:fat (P:C:F) ratio of 1:4:2. High carbohydrate intake was associated with lower mortality, improved body weight and a beneficial pattern of body fat reserves. Protein intake was essential to prevent weight loss and mortality, but a protein intake target of about 7 kJ/d (about 15 % of energy intake) was identified, above which no further benefit was gained. High protein intake was associated with delayed wound healing and increased liver and spleen weight. As the GF study demonstrated that an initial very high protein intake prevented mortality, a very high-protein, moderate-carbohydrate diet (P40:C42:F18) was specifically designed. The dynamic diet study was also designed to combine and validate the benefits of an initial very high protein intake for mortality, and subsequent moderate protein, high carbohydrate intake for optimal wound healing. The dynamic feeding experiment showed switching from an initial very high-protein diet to the optimal moderate-protein, high-carbohydrate diet accelerated wound healing whilst preventing mortality and liver enlargement.

The effect of a hydrolyzed collagen-based supplement on wound healing in patients with burn: A randomized double-blind pilot clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Burn is among the most severe forms of critical illness, associated with extensive and prolonged physical, metabolic and mental disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of an oral, low-cost, and accessible collagen-based supplement on wound healing in patients with burn. METHODS: In this randomized double-blind controlled pilot clinical trial, 31 men, 18-60years, with 20-30% total body surface area burn were studied. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either a collagen-based supplement (1000kcal) or an isocaloric placebo, for 4 weeks. Serum pre-albumin, rate of wound healing, length of hospital stay, and anthropometries were assessed at baseline, and the end of week 2 and 4. RESULTS: Serum pre-albumin was significantly higher at week 2 (29.7±13.6 vs. 17.8±7.5mg/dL, P=0.006) and week 4 (35.1±7.6 vs. 28.3±8.2mg/dL, P=0.023) in collagen than control group. Changes in pre-albumin concentration were also significantly higher in collagen group at week 2 (13.9±9.8 vs. -1.9±10.3mg/dL, P<0.001) and week 4 (19.2±7.5 vs. 8.5±10.1mg/dL, P=0.002). The Hazard ratio of wound healing was 3.7 times in collagen compared to control group (95% CI: 1.434-9.519, P=0.007). Hospital stay was clinically, but not statistically, lower in collagen than control group (9.4±4.6 vs. 13.5±7 days, P=0.063). There were no significant differences in weight, body mass index, dietary energy and protein intakes between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The findings showed that a hydrolyzed collagen-based supplement could significantly improve wound healing and circulating pre-albumin, and clinically reduce hospital stay in patients with 20-30% burn.

Nutrition: reducing the hypermetabolic response to thermal injury.

Nutritional support is seen as a vital component in the battle to attenuate the extreme hypermetabolic response experienced by patients suffering from large thermal injuries. Protein catabolism precipitating protein malnutrition places patients at greater risk of wound infection and sepsis due to delayed wound healing. Underfeeding, aggressive feeding, feeding routes, timing of initiation of feeding and tight insulin control have all been explored extensively in the quest to understand what nutritional treatment will best attenuate the hypermetabolic response. Despite this it is suggested that the majority of patients with large thermal injuries do not receive adequate nutritional support immediately post injury. Nurses have a pivotal role to play in ensuring that thermal injury patients receive appropriate nutritional support based on the best available evidence.

Comparing isolated soy protein with flaxseed oil vs isolated soy protein with corn oil and wheat flour with corn oil consumption on muscle catabolism, liver function, blood lipid, and sugar in burn patients: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: There is controversy regarding whether increasing isolated soy protein (ISP) with or without flaxseed oil (FO), as functional foods, would lead to reduce muscle catabolism and cachexia in burn patients. METHODS: One hundred and eighty-eight patients were assessed for eligibility in this randomized controlled trial. Of these, seventy-three eligible patients (total burn surface area 20-50%) were randomly assigned to three groups, labeled as Control (wheat flour [WF] + corn oil [CO]), ISP + FO, and ISP + CO, to receive these nutrients for three weeks. Weight, body mass index (BMI), serum hepatic enzymes (alanine transaminase [ALT], aspartate transaminase [AST], alkaline phosphatase [ALP]), systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), 24-h urinary urea nitrogen excretion (UUN), serum creatinine, 24-h urinary creatinine (UUC) excretion, fasting blood sugar (FBS), triglyceride (TG), and cholesterol were measured. RESULTS: Using analysis of covariance models in the intention-to-treat population (n = 73), we found that at three weeks, patients in the ISP groups had lost significantly less in weight and BMI compared to those in the control group (all P < 0.01). Nitrogen retention and serum creatinine (primary outcomes) increased significantly in the ISP groups compared with the control group. Even after controlling for potential covariates in ANCOVA models, changes in these indices were still statistically significant (P = 0.008 and P = 0.005 for nitrogen balance and serum creatinine, respectively). However, no such significant differences were found between the ISP groups. On the other hand, 24-h UUN, and UUC excretion, serum hepatic enzymes, FBS, TG, and cholesterol were not significant between the groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: ISP and FO compared to WF and CO reduced muscle catabolism and increased body weight in burn patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT2014051817740N1 . Registered on 27 June 2014.

Recomendação de arginina na terapia nutricional de pacientes queimados: aspectos atuais / Recommendation of arginine in the nutritional therapy of burned patients: current aspects / Recomendación de la arginina en la terapia nutricional de los pacientes quemados: aspectos actuales

Objetivo: Identificar se existe um padrão de recomendação de arginina para terapia nutricional de pacientes queimados, a partir de revisão integrativa da literatura. Método: Realizou-se uma revisão integrativa da literatura, com busca nos artigos on-line indexados na Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS) e no Google Acadêmico, no período entre janeiro de 2011 e julho de 2017, publicados em português, inglês e espanhol. Os resultados foram apresentados em quadros. Resultados: No total, foram encontrados 112 artigos, sendo que apenas seis foram adequados ao critério de inclusão do estudo. Em cinco, que foram lidos e analisados, a quantidade de suplementação recomendada de arginina foi a mesma, sendo de 17g/dia; e um foi acima de 12g/dia. Além disso, esses mesmos autores concordaram que a quantidade adequada de suplementação com arginina, tempo de uso, método de administração e nível de segurança ainda não estão bem estabelecidos como rotina de uso em pacientes com grandes queimaduras. Conclusões: Mesmo sendo a arginina considerada um aminoácido condicionalmente essencial e muito importante no processo de cicatrização em pacientes queimados, ainda são necessários mais estudos clínicos para especificar a dose propícia para a terapia nutricional segura e eficaz com arginina em paciente queimados.

Objective: To identify whether there is a standard of arginine recommendation for nutritional therapy of burned patients, from the integrative review of the literature. Methods: An integrative revision of the literature was conducted, searching for articles on line indexed in the Virtual Health Library (BVS) and Google scholar, in the period from January of 2011 to July 2017, published in portuguese, english and spanish. The results were presented in paintings. Results: In total, 112 articles were found, and only six were suitable for the inclusion criterion of the study. In five, of which were read and analyzed, the quantity of recommended supplementation of arginine was the same, being of 17g/day; and one was above 12g/day. Moreover, these same authors agreed that the appropriate amount of supplementation with arginine, time of use, method of administration and security level are not yet well established as routine of use in patients with large burns. Conclusions: Even though arginine is considered a conditionally essential amino acid and is very important in the healing process in burnt patients, more clinical studies are still necessary to specify the correct dose for safe and effective nutritional therapy with arginine in a burnt patient.

Objectivo: Identificar si hay un estándar de la recomendación de la arginina para la terapia alimenticia de pacientes quemados, a partir de una revisión integradora de la literatura. Método: Se realizó una revisión integradora de la literatura, buscando artículos on-line indexados en la biblioteca virtual de salud (BVS) y Google Scholar, en el período de enero de 2011 a julio de 2017, publicados en portugués, inglés y español. Los resultados fueron presentados en cuadros. Resultados: En total, se encontraron 112 artículos, y sólo seis fueron apropiados para el criterio de inclusión del estudio. En cinco de los que estudios analisados, la cantidad de suplementación recomendada de arginina era la misma, siendo de 17g/día; y uno recomendaba cantidad superior a 12g/dia. Además, estos mismos autores convinieron que la cantidad apropiada de la suplementación con arginina, tiempo de uso, método de administración y nivel de seguridad no estén pero bien establecidas como rutina para el uso en pacientes con grandes quemaduras. Conclusiones: A pesar de arginina considerada un aminoácido condicionalmente esencial y es muy importante en el proceso de la cicatrización de heridas en pacientes quemados, aún son necesarios más estudios clínicos que especifiquen la dosis segura y efectiva terapia nutricional con arginina en pacientes quemados.

Impact of decreasing energy intakes in major burn patients: A 15-year retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nutritional therapy is particularly important after major burn injury and specific nutritional guidelines have been developed. The study aimed at evaluating the impact of the changes in our nutritional practice, general compliance with the guidelines and potential consequences. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data in burn patients requiring intensive care (ICU) between 1999 and 2014. INCLUSION CRITERIA: admission on day 1, full treatment and length of ICU stay >7 days. Four periods (P) were defined by protocol changes (P1: 1999-2001, P2: 2002-2005, P3: 2006-2010, P4: 2011-2014). Collected data: demographic and nutritional data, infectious complications, weights, CRP and prealbumin concentrations during the first 21 days. RESULTS: 240 patients were included (median age 43 years, burned area 25%). Measured energy expenditure (MEE) was stable through all periods but the prescribed caloric target decreased significantly, and below MEE (P1: 33 kcal/kg, IQR 7, P4: 28 kcal/kg, IQR 8, p < 0.001). Energy delivery ended decreasing below 30 kcal/kg/day (P1: 30 kcal/kg, IQR 23, P4: 25 kcal/kg, IQR 12, p < 0.001). Protein intakes increased due the use of high protein solutions and glutamine (P1: 1.04 g/kg, IQR 0.90, P4: 1.26, IQR 0.99, p < 0.001). Weight loss by day 21 increased significantly according to area under the curve (P1: 701, IQR 38, P2: 722, IQR 51, P4: 689 IQR 63, p = 0.02). Prealbumin levels decreased with energy decrease (P1: 150 mg/L, IQR 110, P4: 80 mg/L, IQR 70, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The observed reduction of the energy delivery <30 kcal/kg was associated with a supplemental weight loss and lower prealbumin concentrations.

The effects of frenotomy on breastfeeding

Although the interference of tongue-tie with breastfeeding is a controversial subject, The use of lingual frenotomy has been widely indicated by health professionals. Objective : To observe changes in breastfeeding patterns after lingual frenotomy concerning the number of sucks, pause length between groups of sucking and mother's complaints. Material and Methods : Oral yes/no questions about breastfeeding symptoms and sucking/swallowing/breathing coordination were answered by the mothers of 109, 30 day old infants. On the same day the infants had their lingual frenulum assessed by administering a lingual frenulum protocol. After the assessment, all tongue-tied infants were referred for frenotomy; nevertheless, only 14 underwent the surgery. Of the 109 infants, 14 infants who did not have frenulum alterations were included as controls. Birth order and gender were the criteria for recruiting the control group. The tongue-tied infants underwent lingual frenotomy at 45 days of age. At the conclusion of the frenotomy, the infants were breastfed. At 75 days old, both groups – control and post-frenotomy – were reassessed. Before the reassessment the same oral yes/no questions were answered by the mothers of the 14 infants who underwent frenotomy. The mothers of the control group answered the questionnaire only at the time of the first assessment. Data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results : After frenotomy, the number of sucks increased and the pause length between sucking decreased during breastfeeding. The controls maintained the same patterns observed in the first assessment. From the questionnaire answered by the mothers of the 14 tongue-tied infants, at 30 days and 75 days, we observed that the symptoms concerning breastfeeding and sucking/swallowing/breathing coordination were improved after lingual frenotomy Conclusions : after lingual frenotomy, changes were observed in the breastfeeding patterns of the the tongue-tied ...

Effect of oral olive oil on healing of 10-20% total body surface area burn wounds in hospitalized patients.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of consumption of oral olive oil on clinical outcomes and wound healing of thermally injured patients with hospital stays. One hundred patients (mean age; 33.34±7 years) with 10-20% total body surface area, deep second degree and more burn wounds were randomized to receive either oral olive oil or sunflower oil as the oil in their diet. Patients were evaluated daily for occurrence of wound infection, sepsis and healing of the grafted skin. Also the duration of hospitalization and admission to the intensive care unit were compared in two groups. Results showed that there was no significant difference between the olive oil group and the control group in percent of TBSA involvement (14.28±0.53 vs. 13.02±0.48, P=0.7), albumin concentration (3.25±0.5 vs. 3.13±0.5, P=0.5) and mean calorie intake (2034±216.9 kcal vs2118±192.1 kcal, P=0.2). We found a significant difference in the duration of wound healing (7.2±0.5 vs. 8.7±0.5, P=0.04) and duration of hospitalization (7.4±0.5 vs. 8.9±0.4, P=0.05) in the olive oil group versus the control group. We did not find any difference in ICU admission, wound infection and occurrence of sepsis between two groups. This study showed that an oral diet provided with olive oil in patients with burn may accelerate wound healing and decrease the duration of hospitalization.

Nutritional care of the obese adult burn patient: a U.K. Survey and literature review.

Obesity is an emerging healthcare problem and affects an increasing number of burn patients worldwide. An email survey questionnaire was constructed and distributed among the 16 U.K. burn services providing adult inpatient facilities to investigate nutritional practices in obese thermally injured patients. Responses received from all dieticians invited to participate in the study were analyzed, and a relevant literature review of key aspects of nutritional care is presented. The majority of services believe that obese patients warrant a different nutritional approach with specific emphasis to avoid overfeeding. The most common algebraic formulae used to calculate calorific requirements include the Schofield, Henry, and modified Penn State equations. Indirect calorimetry despite being considered the "criterion standard" tool to calculate energy requirements is not currently used by any of the U.K. burn services. Gastric/enteral nutrition is initiated within 24 hours of admission in the services surveyed, and a variety of different practices were noted in terms of fasting protocols before procedures requiring general anesthesia/sedation. Hypocaloric regimens for obese patients are not supported by the majority of U.K. facilities, given the limited evidence base supporting their use. The results of this survey outline the wide diversity of dietetic practices adopted in the care of obese burn patients and reveal the need for further study to determine optimal nutritional strategies.

ESPEN endorsed recommendations: nutritional therapy in major burns.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nutrition therapy is a cornerstone of burn care from the early resuscitation phase until the end of rehabilitation. While several aspects of nutrition therapy are similar in major burns and other critical care conditions, the patho-physiology of burn injury with its major endocrine, inflammatory, metabolic and immune alterations requires some specific nutritional interventions. The present text developed by the French speaking societies, is updated to provide evidenced-based recommendations for clinical practice. METHODS: A group of burn specialists used the GRADE methodology (Grade of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) to evaluate human burn clinical trials between 1979 and 2011. The resulting recommendations, strong suggestions or suggestions were then rated by the non-burn specialized experts according to their agreement (strong, moderate or weak). RESULTS: Eight major recommendations were made. Strong recommendations were made regarding, 1) early enteral feeding, 2) the elevated protein requirements (1.5-2 g/kg in adults, 3 g/kg in children), 3) the limitation of glucose delivery to a maximum of 55% of energy and 5 mg/kg/h associated with moderate blood glucose (target ≤ 8 mmol/l) control by means of continuous infusion, 4) to associated trace element and vitamin substitution early on, and 5) to use non-nutritional strategies to attenuate hypermetabolism by pharmacological (propranolol, oxandrolone) and physical tools (early surgery and thermo-neutral room) during the first weeks after injury. Suggestion were made in absence of indirect calorimetry, to use of the Toronto equation (Schoffield in children) for energy requirement determination (risk of overfeeding), and to maintain fat administration ≤ 30% of total energy delivery. CONCLUSION: The nutritional therapy in major burns has evidence-based specificities that contribute to improve clinical outcome.

High-carbohydrate, high-protein, low-fat versus low-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat enteral feeds for burns.

BACKGROUND: Severe burn injuries increase patients' metabolic needs. Aggressive high-protein enteral feeding is used in the post-burn period to improve recovery and healing. OBJECTIVES: To examine the evidence for improved clinical outcomes in burn patients treated with high-carbohydrate, high-protein, low-fat enteral feeds (high-carbohydrate enteral feeds) compared with those treated with low-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat enteral enteral feeds (high-fat enteral feeds). SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Injuries Group Specialised Register (searched 28 Nov 2011), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2011, Issue 4), MEDLINE (Ovid) 1950 to Nov (Week 3) 2011, EMBASE (Ovid), ISI Web of Science: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED) (1970 to Nov 2011), ISI Web of Science: Conference Proceedings Citation Index-Science (CPCI-S) (1990 to Nov 2011), PubMed (Searched 28 Nov 2011). Online trials registers and conference proceedings were also searched to April 2010. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing high-carbohydrate enteral feeds to high-fat enteral feeds for treatment of patients with 10% or greater total body surface area (TBSA) burns in the immediate post-burn period, with data for at least one of the pre-specified outcomes. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors collected and analysed the following data: mortality, incidence of pneumonia and days on ventilator. Meta-analysis could only be performed for the outcomes mortality and incidence of pneumonia. A random-effects model was used for all comparisons. MAIN RESULTS: Two RCTs, reporting results from 93 patients, were included in this review. Patients given a high-carbohydrate feeding formula had an odds ratio (OR) of 0.12 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04 to 0.39) for developing pneumonia compared to patients given a high-fat enteral formula (P value = 0.0004). Patients given a high-carbohydrate formula had an OR of 0.36 (95% CI 0.11 to 1.15) for risk of death compared to patients given a high-fat enteral formula; this difference did not reach statistical significance (P value = 0.08). Risk of bias in these studies was assessed as high and moderate. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence suggests that use of high-carbohydrate, high-protein, low-fat enteral feeds in patients with at least 10% TBSA burns might reduce the incidence of pneumonia compared with use of a low-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat diet. The available evidence is inconclusive regarding the effect of either enteral feeding regimen on mortality. Note that the available evidence is limited to two small studies judged to be of moderate risk of bias. Further research is needed in this area before strong conclusions can be drawn.

Update on the critical care management of severe burns.

Care of the severely injured patient with burn requires correct diagnosis, appropriately tailored resuscitation, and definitive surgical management to reduce morbidity and mortality. Currently, mortality rates related to severe burn injuries continue to steadily decline due to the standardization of a multidisciplinary approach instituted at tertiary health care centers. Prompt and accurate diagnoses of burn wounds utilizing Lund-Browder diagrams allow for appropriate operative and nonoperative management. Coupled with diagnostic improvements, advances in resuscitation strategies involving rates, volumes, and fluid types have yielded demonstrable benefits related to all aspects of burn care. More recently, identification of comorbid conditions such as inhalation injury and malnutrition have produced appropriate protocols that aid the healing process in severely injured patients with burn. As more patients survive larger burn injuries, the early diagnosis and successful treatment of secondary and tertiary complications are becoming commonplace. While advances in this area are exciting, much work to elucidate immune pathways, diagnostic tests, and effective treatment regimens still remain. This review will provide an update on the critical care management of severe burns, touching on accurate diagnosis, resuscitation, and acute management of this difficult patient population.

The results of a national survey regarding nutritional care of obese burn patients.

Little is known about the nutritional needs of obese burn patients. Given the impact of obesity on the morbidity and mortality of these patients, a uniform understanding of perceptions and practices is needed. To elucidate current practices of clinicians working with the obese burn population, the authors constructed a multidisciplinary survey designed to collect this information from practitioners in United States burn centers. An electronic approach was implemented to allow for ease of distribution and completion. A portable document format (pdf) letter was e-mailed to the members of the American Burn Association and then mailed separately to additional registered dietitians identified as working in burn centers. This letter contained a link to a 29-question survey on the SurveyMonkey.com server. Questions took the form of multiple choice and free text entry. Responses were received from physicians, mid-level practitioners, registered dietitians, and nurses. Seventy-five percent of respondents defined obesity as body mass index >30. The Harris-Benedict equation was identified as the most frequently used equation to calculate the caloric needs of burn patients (32%). Fifty-eight percent indicated that they alter their calculations for the obese patient by using adjusted body weight. Calculations for estimated protein needs varied among centers. The majority did not use hypocaloric formulas for obese patients (79%). Enteral nutrition was initiated within the first 24 hours for both obese and nonobese patients at most centers. Sixty-three percent suspend enteral nutrition during operative procedures for all patients. Oral feeding of obese patients was the most preferred route, with total parenteral nutrition being the least preferred. Longer length of stay, poor wound healing, poor graft take, and prolonged intubation were outcomes perceived to occur more in the obese burn population. In the absence of supporting research, clinicians are making adjustments to the nutritional care of obese burn patients. This indicates the need for further research to determine consistent best practices.

Perfil epidemiológico e antropométrico de pacientesinternados em uma unidade de tratamento de queimadosem Brasília, Distrito Federal / Epidemiologic and anthropometric profile of patients hospitalizedin a burn treatment unit in Brasília, Distrito Federal

A queimadura é um tipo de trauma caracterizado por alteraçõesmetabólicas e imunológicas sistêmicas. O paciente queimado é altamente suscetível à desnutrição, devido a fatores como perda ponderal intensa e o balanço nitrogenado negativo.

The burn injury is a kind of trauma characterized by metabolic and immunological alterations. The burned patient is highly susceptible to malnutrition due to factors such as severe weight loss and negative nitrogen balance.

Association between dietary fat content and outcomes in pediatric burn patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to compare a low fat/high-carbohydrate diet and a high-fat diet on clinical outcomes by a retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Nine hundred forty-four children with burns ≥ 40% of their total body surface area (TBSA) were divided into two groups: patients receiving Vivonex T.E.N. (low-fat/high-carbohydrate diet; n = 518) and patients receiving milk (high-fat diet; n = 426). Patient demographics, caloric intake, length of hospital stay, and incidence of sepsis, mortality, hepatic steatosis, and organomegaly at autopsy were determined. RESULTS: Demographics and caloric intake were similar in both groups. Patients receiving Vivonex T.E.N. had shorter (intensive care unit) ICU stays (Vivonex T.E.N.: 31 ± 2 d; milk: 47 ± 2 d; P < 0.01), shorter ICU stay per % TBSA burn (Vivonex T.E.N.: 0.51 ± 0.02 d/%; milk: 0.77 ± 0.03 d/%; P < 0.01), lower incidence of sepsis (Vivonex T.E.N.: 11%; milk: 20%; P < 0.01), and lived significantly longer until death than those receiving milk (Vivonex T.E.N.: 20 ± 3 d; milk: 10 ± 2 d; P < 0.01). There was no difference in overall mortality between the two groups (Vivonex T.E.N.:15% versus milk: 13%; P < 0.9). Autopsies revealed decreased hepatic steatosis and decreased enlargement of kidney and spleen in patients receiving Vivonex T.E.N. CONCLUSIONS: The period with a low-fat/high-carbohydrate diet was associated with lower LOS, decreased incidence of organomegaly, infection, and hepatic steatosis post-burn compared with the period when a high-fat diet was used. These associations indicate the benefit of high carbohydrate/low fat nutrition; however, the findings in these time periods can also be likely due to the multifactorial effects of advances in burn care. We believe that these results have some relevance because high fat is associated with poorer outcomes compared with low fat.

The use of immunonutrition in burn injury care: where are we?

The aim of this study is to review the current evidence for immunonutrition use in patients with burn injury. Nutrients of interest included glutamine, arginine, and omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil). A literature review was conducted to identify studies that evaluated the use of immunonutrients in pediatric and adult patients with burn injury. Search terms included burns, immunonutrition, pharmaconutrition, glutamine, arginine, omega-3, and fish oil. Glutamine: Nine randomized controlled trials (four represented in abstract only) investigating enteral supplementation and two trials investigating parenteral supplementation of glutamine were identified. Arginine: Five trials investigating the effect of arginine supplementation were identified (three represented in abstract only). Omega-3 fatty acids: Three studies investigating the effect of enteral fish oil supplementation were identified (one represented in abstract only). Combined immunonutrients: Six studies were identified that investigated immunonutrients as a combination of active dietary constituents (rather than as individual nutrients). Despite the semiessential nature of arginine after burn injury, there were surprisingly little data regarding nutritional supplementation. Literature around supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids is found to be lacking in the burn injury population. The combination of immunonutrients as a component of enteral formulae limits identification of the active nutrient and ideal dosage. Current evidence supports the use of enteral glutamine supplementation for patients with severe burn injuries. Questions remain regarding dosage, timing, and length of supplementation.

[Effect of early enteral feeding on the expression of aquaporin 1 in edematous small intestinal tissues of rats after severe burn].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in the expression of aquaporin 1 (AQP-1) in edematous small intestinal tissues of rats after severe burn and the effect of early enteral feeding on its expression. METHODS: Ninety normal adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=6), burn model group (n=42, with 30% TBSA III degrees) and early feeding group (n=42). Dry weight method, ELSIA and immunohistochemistry were used to observe and detect the water content and expression of AQP-1 in the intestinal tissue at 1, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after the burns. RESULTS: In the burn model group, the water content in the intestinal tissue increased at 4 h after the injury, reaching the peak level at 48 h; AQP-1 expression decreased at 8 h after severe burn and reached the lowest level at 48 h. AQP-1 expression level showed a significant inverse correlation to the water content (P<0.01). Compared with the burn model group, the rats in the early feeding group showed increased AQP-l expression and lessened edema in the small intestines, also demonstrating an inverse correlation between water content and AQP-l expression (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Intestinal AQP-1 expression gradually decreased and edema worsened in rats early after severe burn, reaching the lowest or the peak levels 48 h after the injury with an inverse correlation between them. Early enteral feeding can increase the expression of AQP-l in the small intestine to ameliorate the intestinal edema in rats with severe burn injury.

n-3 Fatty acid supplementation in burned paediatric patients.

AIM: To determine the effect of dietary supplementation with n-3 fatty acids (FA) in paediatric burned patients who had less than 20% of total body surface affected. METHODS: Burned patients were randomly assigned into two groups, one of them received a supplement of n-3 FA during 5 weeks; the other group was considered as not n-3 supplemented burned group. A third group of no burned patients was selected as control. Blood samples were collected at admission and in burned groups at the final of the study. Plasma and erythrocyte phospholipid FA composition and some biochemical parameters related to the clinical evolution: total plasma proteins and C3 and C4 complement proteins were determined. RESULTS: In the early post-burn patients, there is an increase in saturated and monounsaturated FAs in plasma phospholipids, and a decrease in polyunsaturated FAs compared with control. These alterations are in favour of proinflammatory response to burn injury. In n-3 FA supplemented group, these changes were further reverted, and a favourable response in the amount of total plasma proteins and in C3 and C4 proteins of the complement system was demonstrated. CONCLUSION: Dietary n-3 FA supplementation might be beneficial for patients suffering thermal injury.

Dietetic service provision for burn care in the United Kingdom: are nutrition support standards being met?

BACKGROUND: Catabolism and lean body mass losses in severe burn injury present an extreme challenge to the dietitian. A high level of nutritional intervention is often required, but service levels have not been described in the UK. This study aimed to identify levels of current dietetic services with respect to burns and to assess adequacy against existing nutrition support standards. METHODS: A postal survey of 34 UK dietetic departments known to provide care to burned adult and paediatric admissions was undertaken. Data were collected on burns settings, hospital service characteristics, staffing and caseload issues, and absence cover. Comparison was made between funding and activity to National Health Service standards for the nutritional care of inpatients. RESULTS: The response rate was 71% and data were analysed for 20 departments Clinical settings were either burn units or plastic surgery wards. Dietetic care was provided to critically ill burned patients in 16 hospitals. Most hospitals had no dietetic funding assigned for burn care. The funding deficit for critical care compared to recommendations was 5.9 full-time equivalents and no individual hospital met funding standards. Thirty-seven percent of dietitians were unable to provide daily follow up for critically ill patients. Absence cover was limited in 60% of cases. Approximately one-third of dietitians were members of a nutrition support team. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to national guidelines for nutrition support, deficiencies of dietetic service provision exist within UK burns settings. This is further reinforced when practice is compared with existing multi-professional burns management standards.