Trace Element Supplementation in Burn Patients: Exploring the Relationship Between Burn Size and Mineral Needs.

The article investigates the relationship between burn size, measured as percent body surface area burned (BSAB), and trace element deficiencies in burn patients receiving predominantly enteral supplementation of zinc, copper, and selenium. In a retrospective cohort of 53 patients, zinc deficiency was associated with burns exceeding 22.1% BSAB, and copper deficiency with burns over 27.5% BSAB, while no selenium deficiencies were observed regardless of burn size. Patients with burns greater than 30% BSAB developed zinc and copper deficiencies within the first two weeks of hospitalization despite supplementation, indicating a need for enhanced trace element replacement in larger burns. These findings informed revisions to the institution's supplementation protocol, lowering the threshold for increased supplementation to burns over 20% BSAB and discontinuing routine selenium monitoring. The study highlights the importance of burn size in guiding targeted trace element supplementation to prevent deficiencies during recovery.