title: The effect of dietary intake of antioxidant micronutrients on burn wound healing: a study in a tertiary health institution in a developing country.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Burn injury results in emotional stress affecting dietary intake and antioxidant micronutrient intake, which is known to have effects on recovery outcomes. The study aimed to assess dietary intake of antioxidant micronutrients and recovery outcomes of burn patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires were administered to 40 burn patients at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (Ghana) from January 1, 2014 to May 30, 2014. The data taken include anthropometric measurements and dietary assessment. Their nutrient intakes were assessed with the Nutrient Analysis Template. The average intakes were compared to the recommended daily allowance. Assessment of recovery was based on records of wound healing assessments and infection rates from the health practitioners.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A cross-sectional study of 40 patients revealed an average total burn surface area (TBSA) of 31.4 %, where 70.0, 35.0, 75.0, 52.5, 12.5 and 32.5 % patients were deficient in vitamins A, C and E, zinc, copper and selenium, respectively and adequate amounts of vitamin C intake were related with significantly better wound healing progress. Positive wound healing outcomes were observed for patients with adequate vitamins A and E and zinc intake. Less infection presented among patients with adequate amount of vitamins A and C and zinc, but this was not observed for patients with adequate vitamin E, copper and selenium.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most burn patients did not meet their dietary requirements for antioxidant micronutrients and this was due to meals not tailored to suit individual requirements. Adequacy of the antioxidants especially vitamin C resulted in positive wound healing outcomes. Hence, there is need for planned well-balanced meals of high vitamin C.
authors: Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Adjepong
authors: Reconstructive Plastic Surgery & Burns Unit, Department of Surgery, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, School of Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
authors: Pius
authors: P
authors: Agbenorku
authors: Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Brown
authors: Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
authors: Ibok
authors: I
authors: Oduro
keywords: Antioxidants; Dietary intake; Micronutrients; Recovery; Wound healing; Wound infection