Reassessing caloric requirements in pediatric burn patients.

New formulas for estimating the caloric requirements of burned children have been suggested. These formulas appeared to exceed the caloric estimates made by the Galveston Shriners Burns Institute formula. This study was undertaken to compare the Curreri Junior formulas and the Galveston Shriners Burns Institute formula with the actual intake required by pediatric patients with burns greater than 30% total body surface area to maintain weight. The 121 patients studied were divided into three age groups to coincide with those in the Curreri Junior formulas and calorie requirements as estimated by both formulas were determined. The comparison of these estimations with the actual intake required to maintain weight indicated that there is a significant difference in the caloric requirement per m2 burn between the age three and under group and the older age group. The results also suggest that overfeeding may occur with the historic formulas.