title: EFFECTS OF ENTERAL GLUTAMINE SUPPLEMENTATION ON REDUCTION OF INFECTION IN ADULT PATIENTS WITH SEVERE BURNS.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of enteral glutamine in reducing the incidence of post burn infections in patients with severe burns.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double blind randomised clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Burns unit and ward 4D of Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty patients with severe burns who were randomised to two arms of treatment: (1) the glutamine group and (2) isonitrogenous arm acting as the control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients' demographic and baseline clinical characteristics were similar in both arms of treatment. For the entire four-week treatment period, the odds ratio of a positive blood culture was almost three-fold higher among patients in the control group compared to those in the Glutamine group (p = 0.04). There was also a higher incidence of positive swab cultures from the non glutamine group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Enteral glutamine supplementation in severely burnt adult patients reduces blood infection by a factor of three. It also significantly reduces the incidence of burn wound infections.
authors: D K
authors: DK
authors: Kibor
authors: O E
authors: OE
authors: Nyaim
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Wanjeri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000517:prevention & control; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005973:Glutamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D005973:Glutamine