Importance of Vitamins and Trace Elements Essential vitamins and trace elements, which are globally known as “micronutrients,” are fundamental to metabolism; they function as structures of enzymes or as their cofactors. Their requirements are influenced by the metabolic state and…
Metabolic Actions of Calcium, Phosphate, and Magnesium As insoluble elements, minerals are major inorganic components of bone tissue and confer weight-bearing properties to the skeleton. Soluble calcium (Ca), phosphate (PO 4 ), and magnesium (Mg) play important roles in metabolic…
Introduction The extreme hypermetabolic and hypercatabolic stress responses induced by a severe burn injury are characterized by increased proteolysis, lipolysis, and production of endogenous glucose via glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. The critical organ controlling these processes is the liver. With major…
Introduction The endocrine system is central to coordinating the systemic response to burn trauma ( Table 23.1 ). Pathological and compensatory changes are seen in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, thyroid, pancreatic, and gonadal hormonal secretions. These changes act in concert…
Introduction Severe burn injury causes a myriad of hematologic perturbations. Burn excision as well as substantial in-hospital phlebotomy causes severe blood loss anemia and even hemorrhagic shock, requiring substantial transfusion. Large-scale fluid resuscitation and shock cause a significant coagulopathy. Surgical…
Introduction Each year, more than 8 million people are burned. Approximately 1 million sustain severe burn injuries covering more than 30% of the total body surface area (TBSA). Burns cause considerable morbidity and mortality; burn injuries are often complicated by…
Introduction Infectious complications are one of the leading causes of death in patients with severe burn injuries. Increases in the total body surface area and depth of burn injuries correlate with the excessive risk of infectious complications. Burn patients are…
Introduction Burn patients, with or without inhalation injuries, commonly exhibit a clinical picture that is largely produced by systemic inflammation. The term systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) was introduced to designate the signs and symptoms of this condition. SIRS has…
Introduction The multitude of respiratory complications caused by smoke inhalation, flame burns, and their treatment epitomize the clinical challenges that confront health care workers. Smoke inhalation injury and its sequelae impose demands on the practitioners who play a central role…
Introduction Inhalation injury is a nonspecific term that refers to damage to the respiratory tract or pulmonary parenchyma by heat or chemical irritants carried into the airways during respiration. Along with total body surface area (TBSA) burned and age, inhalation…