[Levels of oligo-elements and trace elements in patients at the time of admission in intensive care units].
Routinely, the macronutrient contribution is thoroughly studied when a patient is included in a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) program. However, it must be kept in mind that along with macronutrients, micronutrients, oligoelements and vitamins are also administered, and these must be taken into account. At present, for instance, the importance of oligoelements has become evident, and clinical conditions of oligoelement deficiency have been described in many cases even when the minimum daily requirements had been met. This study centers on the importance of evaluating oligoelement and trace element levels when patients are admitted into the ICU and were included into a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) program. An assessment of the serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and transferrin (Tfe) levels was done on 55 septic patients who underwent abdominal surgery was done on admission to the ICU. Transferrin was measured of serve as an indicator of metabolic damage. A description of the methods used in analytical assessment, a presentation of normal values, the statistical management of each of the elements under study and the interpretation of the results obtained has been done. The discussion is based on the changes detected in the patients' serum levels on admission to the unit, showing low iron, transferrin, zinc and calcium values and normal magnesium, phosphorus and copper figures. The conclusion arrived at suggests that the daily parenteral supplements of these elements should be higher than those recommended by the American Medical Association (AMA) and by other authors.
Henche Morilla
A L
AL
Servicio de Medicina Intensiva, Hospital General La Paz, Madrid.
Romero Montero
C
C
Llorente González
C
C
D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000097:blood*; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000097:blood*; D012016:Reference Values; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000097:blood*
D014131:Trace Elements
Valores de oligoelementos y elementos traza al ingreso de pacientes en UCI.