Caloric needs of adolescent patients with burns.

Formulas for estimating the caloric requirements of pediatric and adult patients with burns have been suggested. However, the needs of adolescent patients with burns have not been specifically addressed. This study was undertaken to determine the calorie intake required to maintain weight of adolescent patients with burns over more than 35% of the total body surface area. The 29 patients studied were divided into two groups according to sex. Caloric requirements were determined with the use of the Galveston surface area formula and the Curreri formula. The comparison of these estimations with the actual intake required to maintain weight indicated that there is a significant difference between the calories indicated by the formulas and the actual intake. A surface area formula that also correlates with the results of indirect-calorimetry studies is suggested for this adolescent population with burns.