Table 1.

Common formulas used to calculate caloric needs of burn patients

Adult formulas	Kcal/day	Comments
Harris Benedict	Men: 66.5 + 13.8(weight in kg) + 5(height in cm) − 6.76(age in years) Women: 655 + 9.6(weight in kg) + 1.85(height in cm) − 4.68(age in years)	Estimates basal energy expenditure; can be adjusted by both activity and stress factor, multiply by 1.5 for common burn stress adjustment
Toronto Formula	−4343 + 10.5(TBSA) + 0.23(calorie intake in last 24 h) + 0.84(Harris Benedict estimation without adjustment) + 114(temperature) − 4.5(number of postburn days)	Useful in acute stage of burn care; must be adjusted with changes in monitoring parameters
Davies and Lilijedahl	20(weight in kg) + 70(TBSA)	Overestimates caloric needs for large injuries
Ireton-Jones	Ventilated patient: 1784 − 11 (age in years) + 5 (weight in kg) + (244 if male) + (239 if trauma) + (804 if burn) Non-ventilated patient: 629 − 11 (age in years) + 25 (weight in kg) − (609 if obese)	Complex formula which integrates variables for ventilation and injury status
Curreri	Age 16–59: 25(weight in kg) + 40(TBSA) Age >60: 20(weight in kg) + 65(TBSA)	Often overestimates caloric needs
Pediatric formulas
Galveston	0–1 year: 2100(body surface area) + 1000(body surface area × TBSA) 1–11 year: 1800(body surface area) + 1300(body surface area × TBSA) 12–18 years: 1500(body surface area) + 1500(body surface area × TBSA)	Focuses on maintaining body weight
Curreri junior	<1 year: recommended dietary allowance + 15(TBSA) 1–3 years: recommended dietary allowance + 25(TBSA) 4–15 years: recommended dietary allowance + 40(TBSA)	Commonly overestimates caloric needs

TBSA total body surface area