Assessment Of The Role Of Artificial Nutrition In The Management Of Critically Ill Burn Patients

摘要

This study considering the effects of artificial nutrition in bum patients was carried out in 15 females and 25 males admitted to a bums unit in Egypt between January 2000 and January 2001. The burn surface was 25-50% and the patients' age ranged from 15 to 50 yr. All the patients received standard resuscitation measures during the first 48 h. On day 3, the patients were divided into two groups. One group received ordinary enteral nutrition plus artificial nutrition through a peripheral vein, while the other control group received only enteral nutrition. Each group was considered with regard to anthropometric measurements and laboratory analyses. The group receiving artificial nutrition was found to have excellent results, compared with the other group that received only enteral nutrition - body weight was maintained or slightly increased, while in the other group body weight markedly decreased. There was an increase in S. proteins, S. albumin, and S. transferrin in the first group. It is concluded that artificial nutrition can play an important role in the management of critically ill bum patients, in addition to the oral route, improving patient immunity and healing capacity, reducing the infection rate, and decreasing hospital stay.