Nutritional Requirements and Actual Dietary Intake of Adult Burn Patients

Introduction: Nutritional support of burn patients is essential to wound healing and improving their immune defense. Moreover, these patients have an increased need for the intake of calories and other nutrients, such as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. The present study aimed to evaluate the levels of energy and macronutrient and micronutrient intake and compare them with the reference daily intake (RDI) in adult burn patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 thermally burned patients who were admitted to the burn care at Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad, Iran during October-December 2016. Data on the actual intake were collected using the nutrient intake analysis (NIA) through direct observation. In addition, the nutritional intakes of each individual were assessed using the Nutritionist IV software, and data analysis was performed in SPSS version 18. Results: Mean levels of energy, carbohydrate, and protein intake were significantly lower compared to the mean total energy requirement and carbohydrate and protein RDA (P<0.001). On the other hand, the mean fat intake was within the RDI range (20.5±8.3%), and the mean levels of vitamin A, folate, and vitamin C intake were significantly lower compared to the RDI (P<0.001). Conclusion: According to the results, total calorie, carbohydrate, and protein intakes in the patients with major burn injuries were lower than the standard recommended values, while the level of fat intake was normal based on the RDA. In addition, our findings indicated that vitamin and mineral intakes in the adults with major burn injuries were lower than the RDI limit, which may decelerate wound healing and increase the length of hospital stay.