Pediatric enteral nutrition therapy for burn victims: when should it be initiated?

ABSTRACT Objective: To review the scientific evidence regarding the initiation of enteral nutrition in the pediatric burn population. Methods: This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials comparing early enteral nutrition and late enteral nutrition in individuals aged 1 month to 18 years with burns. The MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were searched using the terms "burns", "fires", "child nutrition disorders", "nutritional support" and related terms. Results: Three articles that included a total of 781 patients were identified. There was no significant difference in the mortality rate between the early and late groups (OR = 0.72, 95%CI = 0.46 - 1.15, p = 0.17). Patients who received early enteral nutrition had a 3.69-day reduction in the length of hospital stay (mean difference = -3.69, 95%CI = -4.11 - -3.27, p