THE ANEMIA OF THERMAL INJURY. II. STUDIES OF LIVER FUNCTION 12

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Abstract
Liver function studies of bromosulfalein retention, cephalin flocculation, thymol turbidity, prothrombin concn., total protein, albumin-globulin ratio, urine urobilinogen excretion, and serum bilirubin were performed in 15 patients with moderate to severe burns. Impairment of liver function was generally correlated with the severity of the burn. The 2 most constant changes were alterations of the urine urobilinogen and albumin-globulin ratio. Low total proteins were found in the presence of adequate caloric and N intake. Autopsy material showed no constant change in liver pathology, but there was usually evidence of fatty infiltration, cloudy swelling, increased pigment deposition. Erythrophagocytosi; present in one patient suggests this mechanism plays a part in the production of burn anemia.