Parenteral Albumin Therapy in Burn Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

AbstractBackground: Administration of albumin for burn patients andits effects on mortality and morbidity has been debated foralong time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects ofalbumin administration on wound healing, length of hospitalstay, weight change, and mortality of burn patients.Methods: Two matched groups of patients from Shiraz BurnCare Center were randomly selected. The patients in onegroup received parenteral albumin in addition to high proteindiet and the other group received only high protein diet. Thelength of hospital stay, healing time, mortality, serum albumin,transferrin levels, and weight loss were compared.Results: A total of 141 patients were selected; 71 patients incontrol group and 70 patients in albumin group. There were nosignificant differences in mortality (P=0.97), length of hospitalstay (P=0.45), and healing time (P=0.25) in two groups. Thepatients who survived had significantly higher serum transferrinlevel (128 mg/dL versus 102 mg/dL).Conclusion: Parenteral albumin administration did not have asignificant effect on mortality, length of hospital stay, andhealing time in burn patients.Trial Registration Number: IRCT138802141605N3Iran J Med Sci 2010; 35(2): 95-100.

Keywords

• Albumin
• burn
• transferrin
• wound healing