[Nutritional support in burnt patients].
Thermal injury leads to a hypermetabolic response which magnitude is among the highest that critically ill patients may present. The energetic waste should be measured by indirect calorimetry in burnt patients. When this test is lacking, published calculations to estimate the energetic waste are useful in these patients. Nutritional therapy in burnt patients should be started early and through the enteral route whenever possible. Total caloric intake is higher than that recommended for other critically ill patients, but should not be higher than 200% of basal energetic waste. Also recommended is a higher hyperproteic intake than that suggested for other situations. With regards to the use of nutrient substrates, there are data to recommend the use of pharmaco-nutrients, such as arginine and glutamine, in burnt patients. In order to stimulate wound healing, it is also recommended to administer vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc supplements.
Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre. Madrid.
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Grau Carmona
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Rincón Ferrari
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García Labajo
D002056:Burns / Q000628:therapy*; D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D018529:Nutritional Support / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*