The potential of nutritional assessment parameters in predicting sepsis in burn patients was investigated. Sixty-two consecutive patients (mean age 41 years) with an average burn size of 19% were studied. Values were obtained on postburn day 10 for serum albumin, transferrin, nitrogen balance. total lymphocyte count, skin test reactivity. and nercentage of ideal body weight. Parameters predictive of an imminent septic episode included serum albumin <3.0 g/dl (p < 0.001), total lymphocyte count < 1500/MM3 (p < 0.001), anergy (p < 0.001), and serum transferrin < 150 mg/dl (p < 0.01). Nitrogen balance and percentage of ideal body weight were not found to contribute to group discrimination.
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