Iron overload in children receiving prolonged parenteral nutrition.
This study was carried out to evaluate the iron status of 30 children aged 1 to 18 years who had been receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for an average of 43 months with iron intakes of 100 micrograms/kg per day. Iron status was assessed by assaying the serum iron and ferritin levels and the transferrin saturation coefficient as a function of iron intake. Liver biopsy specimens were taken from 13 children. Twelve children had serum ferritin levels greater than 300 ng/ml, and 8 had levels greater than 800 ng/ml. The serum ferritin level and the transferrin saturation coefficient were positively correlated (r = 0.81; p < 0.01). The serum ferritin level was positively correlated with TPN duration and with the total iron intake (r = 0.68; p < 0.01). Of the 13 liver biopsy specimens, six showed signs of iron deposition. We conclude that there is a risk of iron overload in children receiving 100 micrograms iron per kilogram of body weight per day by TPN, indicating that intake should be reduced.
Ben Hariz
M
M
Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hôpital Necker-Enfanats Malades Paris, France.
Goulet
O
O
De Potter
S
S
Girot
R
R
Rambaud
C
C
Colomb
V
V
Corriol
O
O
Ricour
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D013997:Time Factors; D014168:Transferrin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D014168:Transferrin; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron; D000410:Alanine Transaminase