title: Delivery of vitamin A from parenteral nutrition solutions in neonates.
abstract: The delivery of Vitamin A from parenteral nutrition may be suboptimal. To investigate this sample solutions were prepared and Vitamins A and E concentrations from the solution bags and the efflux from the lines were measured over a 24 h period. The results show that mean Vitamin A levels in the solution bags declined from a range of 57-66% to 17% of expected over 24 h and at the efflux of the lines from a range of 13-29% to 4% of expected, giving a calculated delivery of 10% of expected. There is no improvement with light protection or an ethylene vinyl acetate system. Mixing the vitamin preparation in lipid showed less decline (from 92 to 70% of expected over 24 h), but the delivery was variable. When vitamins were added to a lipid-dextrose-amino acid solution, there was minimal loss from the solution bag and line with a calculated delivery of 94% of expected. The delivery of Vitamin E from all systems was constant with a mean calculated delivery of 74% of expected. It was concluded that the mixing of multivitamins in dextrose-amino acid-electrolyte solutions results in poor delivery of Vitamin A and this is improved by mixing lipid solution. This is important in preterm infants who are prone to become Vitamin A deficient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fudge
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Odgers
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Teubner
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Simmer
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids; D004573:Electrolytes; D005947:Glucose; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D012996:Solutions; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D004573:Electrolytes; D012996:Solutions; D014801:Vitamin A; D005947:Glucose