['To determine xanthine oxidase and superoxide dismutase activities, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter in survivors and nonsurvivors patients with severe burn injury.', 'Prospective, comparative observational study in an intensive care unit, burn division, in a trauma hospital.', 'Twenty-five consecutive patients who met the established criteria for severe burn injury (total burn surface area of more than 30%).', 'Plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive species and protein carbonyls levels were significantly higher in nonsurvivors than in survivors at 0 and 6 h. Elevated xanthine oxidase activity at 0 h was associated with adverse outcome after burn injury. In contrast, plasma superoxide dismutase activity and total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter did not differ significantly between nonsurvivors and survivors at any time point.'] Do plasma oxidative parameters and mortality in patients with severe burn injury?