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Table 1 Common formulas used to calculate caloric needs of burn patients

From: Nutrition and metabolism in burn patients

Adult formulas

Kcal/day

Comments

Harris Benedict

Men:

66.5 + 13.8(weight in kg) + 5(height in cm) − 6.76(age in years)

Women:

655 + 9.6(weight in kg) + 1.85(height in cm) − 4.68(age in years)

Estimates basal energy expenditure; can be adjusted by both activity and stress factor, multiply by 1.5 for common burn stress adjustment

Toronto Formula

−4343 + 10.5(TBSA) + 0.23(calorie intake in last 24 h) + 0.84(Harris Benedict estimation without adjustment) + 114(temperature) − 4.5(number of postburn days)

Useful in acute stage of burn care; must be adjusted with changes in monitoring parameters

Davies and Lilijedahl

20(weight in kg) + 70(TBSA)

Overestimates caloric needs for large injuries

Ireton-Jones

Ventilated patient:

1784 − 11 (age in years) + 5 (weight in kg) + (244 if male) + (239 if trauma) + (804 if burn)

Non-ventilated patient:

629 − 11 (age in years) + 25 (weight in kg) − (609 if obese)

Complex formula which integrates variables for ventilation and injury status

Curreri

Age 16–59: 25(weight in kg) + 40(TBSA)

Age >60: 20(weight in kg) + 65(TBSA)

Often overestimates caloric needs

Pediatric formulas

  

Galveston

0–1 year:

2100(body surface area) + 1000(body surface area × TBSA)

1–11 year:

1800(body surface area) + 1300(body surface area × TBSA)

12–18 years:

1500(body surface area) + 1500(body surface area × TBSA)

Focuses on maintaining body weight

Curreri junior

<1 year: recommended dietary allowance + 15(TBSA)

1–3 years: recommended dietary allowance + 25(TBSA)

4–15 years: recommended dietary allowance + 40(TBSA)

Commonly overestimates caloric needs

  1. TBSA total body surface area