title: Sampling and analysis techniques for monitoring serum for trace elements.
abstract: We describe techniques for controlling contamination in the sampling and analysis of human serum for trace metals. The relatively simple procedures do not require clean-room conditions. The atomic absorption and atomic emission methods used have been applied in studying zinc, copper, chromium, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and aluminum concentrations. Values obtained for a group of 16 normal subjects agree with the most reliable values reported in the literature, obtained by much more elaborate techniques. All of these metals can be measured in 3 to 4 mL of serum. The methods may prove especially useful in monitoring concentrations of essential trace elements in blood of patients being maintained on total parenteral nutrition.
mesh_terms: D001800:Blood Specimen Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic / Q000379:methods; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000097:blood* / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements