Effects of diet on body weight, haemoglobin, serum proteins and trace elements in burned children.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of two diets on serum proteins, trace elements, haemoglobin and body weight in burned children. DESIGN: Comparative analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The study was conducted on burned children admitted in Nishtar Ward, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad for seven months, from February to August 2002. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 61 children of 3-14 years of age. Of these, 27 children were randomly selected and advised diet 1 (vegetables and milk-rich diet), while 34 children were randomly selected and advised diet 2 (pulses and egg-rich diet). Serum proteins and haemoglobin were determined spectrophotometrically, trace elements by atomic absorption spectrophotometric methods and body weight by weighing machine. The data obtained was analyzed statistically on SAS 6.12. RESULTS: During the study, 30 percent children died. Relatively higher deaths occurred in children advised vegetables + milk-rich diet. The increase in body weight was noted in 25 % children. Of these, significant number was in those advised pulses + eggs rich diet (p<0.01). The haemoglobin, total proteins, albumin, globulins, copper and zinc showed no change. Haemoglobin (p<0.01) and serum total proteins (p<0.05) increased in significantly higher percentage of children advised diet 2. Decrease in serum globulins and no change from initial values were comparable in two diets, while the increase was in relatively higher percentage of children advised diet 2. The decrease in serum copper was almost in same percentage of children advised two diets. It was maintained in relatively higher percentage of children advised diet 1. However, the increase in serum copper was in significantly (p<0.05) higher percentage of children advised diet 2. Serum zinc maintenance was in significantly (p<0.001) higher percentage of children advised rich diet 2. CONCLUSION: Better effect of pulses and eggs rich diet in burned children was seen on the basis of parameters studied. However, the role of vegetables and milk in burned children has not been ruled out altogether.