title: Iron and parenteral nutrition.
abstract: There is ample evidence that iron is an essential trace element, but assessment of iron status and decisions on the amounts needed and the means of delivery in patients on parenteral nutrition (PN) have been unclear. Although iron requirements may diminish during acute illness, the frequent concurrence of blood loss and iron deficiency argue strongly for maintenance of levels of delivery in line with basal requirements. Maintenance of iron delivery has not been thought likely to present risk, but new data are questioning this. The needs of menstruating, pregnant, and lactating women are greater than those of adult men. The evidence favors an intravenous dose of around 1 mg of elemental iron per day in adult men and postmenopausal women. Doses of 1.5 mg/d [DOSAGE ERROR CORRECTED] in menstruating women and 2.0 mg/d [DOSAGE ERROR CORRECTED] for those in the later stages of pregnancy or lactating can be supported. A calibrated response is required in the growing child. Continued monitoring of iron status is recommended. Iron is an essential component for most PN regimens. The quantity of iron to be included should take account of predicted requirements.
authors.affiliation: University College, London, United Kingdom. a.forbes@ucl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Alastair
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Forbes
mesh_terms: D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D007774:Lactation; D008598:Menstruation; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D011247:Pregnancy; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements; D007501:Iron