Nutrition for Special Groups

Nutrition for Special Groups 3(3+0)

Lesson 35 : Burns

Introduction

A patient with extensive burns requires rigorous nutritional care. Burns cause a tremendous loss of tissue and additional tissue destruction and nitrogen loss continue. The greatest increase in metabolic rate occurs in patients with extensive burns. The hyper metabolism caused by injury induces a catabolic state characterized by erosion of lean body mass, negative nitrogen balance, altered glucose metabolism etc in proportion to the extent and severity of the injury.