ABSTRACTThis study sought to evaluate the timing of burn-associated polyneuropathy (BAPN) and its relationship to burn severity or size. Seventeen burned subjects were studied 1 wk after thermal burns. Eleven subjects remained in the study to complete 6-wk follow-up studies. Nerve conduction studies were done on at least three nerves in two unburned limbs; results were numerically summarized by calculatingZscores for each parameter. A compositeZscore, termedZtotal, measured global nerve function. One week postburn, motor and sensory distal latencies were prolonged (meanZ, −0.72 and −0.85, respectively), motor conduction velocities slowed (meanZ, −1.31) and sensory nerve action potentials reduced in amplitude (meanZ, −0.66). Associations ofZtotalscores with total burn surface area and depth were not statistically significant. Those with severe neuropathy had higher levels of c-reactive protein (Spearman correlation, −0.624;P= 0.0129). There were no significant changes inZscores at 6 wk. We conclude that BAPN is common after thermal injury, and the electrophysiologic manifestations of BAPN are present within the first week. Thermal injuries may induce an inflammatory cascade that results in alterations of nerve function.