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THE
BURN NUTRITION MODULE
Section III
WHAT
ARE THE PROTEIN NEEDS?
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Recommended
Intake
Adult
: 1.5-2g/kg/day*
Child:
2-2.5g/kg/day*
*
Based On Metabolic Studies
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- degree
of weight loss
- lean
mass loss
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Protein
requirements are much harder to define on an individual basis as
there is not a readily available method of determining the rate of
protein synthesis. Protein loss can be monitored in the urine as
nitrogen excretion which can then be converted to protein loss.
However, this does not define any protein synthesis or gain. A
number of excellent clinical studies using complex technology has
defined burn patient protein requirements as a population (adult and
pediatric). Fine tuning can be performed, based on standard clinical
and biochemical tests.
The standard requirements, presented have been adopted as the
standard of care. Adult protein intake should be between 1.5-2
grams/kg/day and children need 2-2.5gram/kg/day. Protein or
nutrient supplements are invariable needed to reach this goal.
Adding specific amino acids glutamine and to a lesser extent
arginine have been reported to be of benefit when provided with the
necessary protein.
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