Dr. Ahmad Sadighi - Pediatric Surgeon

  

A child who has been burned needs a diet higher in calories and proteins to help him/her heal and grow. The child may have an intravenous (IV) line for extra fluids when he/she first comes to the hospital and when is more alert and is feeling better, he/she can start to eat.

Providing adequate calories and nutrients is a difficult task when treating burn injuries, a failure to meet these needs may result in impaired wound healing, negative nitrogen balance, weight loss and decreased immune function.

An initial nutritional assessment should be done as soon as possible after admission to the hospital. This is done early in burn treatment so that appropriate feedings can be initiated within the first 24 to 48 hours after the patient was burned.

The nutritional diet should be high protein, high carbohydrate and also provide the patient with the adequate amount of fats that will help to increase immune function.

Additionally, a vitamin and mineral supplements should be given to the burned child. Among the different vitamins, Vitamin D is very essential.