Nutrition therapy for pediatric patients with < 20% total body surface area TBSA burn typically includes

• A. Oral intake of high calorie, high protein diet
• B. Enteral nutrition
• C. Parenteral nutrition
• D. Enteral and parenteral nutrition therapy

Answer: (A)

In pediatric burn patients with small total body surface area involvement, maintaining adequate nutrition relies on meeting elevated energy and protein needs through the most natural and least invasive means. The metabolic response to a burn increases energy expenditure and protein turnover to support wound healing and growth, yet children with less extensive burns often can meet these needs with a calorically dense, high‑protein oral diet. This approach supports healing while avoiding the risks associated with tube or intravenous feeding.

Enteral nutrition is typically used if oral intake isn’t enough to meet the demands or if the child cannot safely take in enough calories by mouth. Parenteral nutrition is reserved for situations where the gut cannot be used or is contraindicated, or when enteral feeding cannot meet energy and protein requirements. The combination of both is generally reserved for more extensive injuries or complex cases.

So for small burns in children, the best initial and typical strategy is an oral high-calorie, high-protein diet to support healing and growth.