Association of Postburn Fatty Acids and Triglycerides with Clinical Outcome in Severely Burned Children

CONTEXT: Free fatty acids (FFAs) and triglycerides (TGs) are altered postburn, but whether these alterations are associated with postburn outcomes is not clear. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to analyze lipid metabolic profiles in pediatric burn patients and to correlate these profiles with patient outcomes and hospital courses. DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a prospective cohort study at an academic pediatric hospital burn center. PATIENTS: Our study included 219 pediatric burn patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were stratified according to their plasma TG and FFA levels. Main patient outcomes, such as postburn morbidity and mortality, and clinical metabolic markers were analyzed. RESULTS: All groups were similar in demographics and injury characteristics. Patients with elevated TGs had significantly worse clinical outcomes associated with increased acute-phase protein synthesis indicating augmented inflammation and hypermetabolism, whereas increased FFAs did not seem to profoundly alter postburn outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated TGs, but not FFAs, postburn are associated with worsened organ function and clinical outcomes.