title: Zinc supplementation in burn patients.
abstract: Micronutrient supplementation is a common practice throughout many burn centers across North America; however, uncertainty pertaining to dose, duration, and side effects of such supplements persists. The authors prospectively collected data from 23 hospitalized patients with burn sizes ranging from 10 to 93% TBSA. Each patient received a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement, 50 mg zinc (Zn) daily, and 500 mg vitamin C twice daily. Supplements were administered orally or enterally. Albumin, prealbumin, C-reactive protein, serum Zn, and serum copper were measured weekly during hospital admission until levels were within normal reference range. Our study concluded that 50 mg daily dose of Zn resulted in normal serum levels in 19 of 23 patients at discharge; 50 mg Zn supplementation did not interfere with serum copper levels; and Zn supplements, regardless of administration route, did not result in gastrointestinal side effects.
authors.affiliation: Firefighters' Burn Unit, Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Caldis-Coutris
authors.forename: Justin P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Gawaziuk
authors.forename: Sarvesh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Logsetty
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000418:Albumins / Q000187:drug effects; D002056:Burns / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000187:drug effects; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011228:Prealbumin / Q000187:drug effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D011228:Prealbumin; D014131:Trace Elements; D003300:Copper; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D015032:Zinc