THE RELATION OF NITROGEN RETENTION TO NITROGEN INTAKE IN ADULTS WITH POST-TRAUMATIC MALNUTRITION

Abstract

N balance technique was used to study 13 subjects who had lost 14-39% body weight and 13-35% lean body weight after injury. Isocaloric diets at levels of N intake varying from 0.16 g to 0.85 g N/kg body weight were used. The coefficient of correlation between N intake and N retention (g/kg/day) was 0.74 with p < 0.01. The regression equation Y + 0.016 + 0.19 X applies where Y is N retention and X is N intake, both in g/kg/day. Non-protein calories had a relatively small effect on N retention. No diminished efficiency in the use of dietary N was evident at the higher levels of N intake and the rate of N storage did not appear to be related to the degree of malnutrition.