title: Trace elements in parenteral nutrition: a practical guide for dosage and monitoring for adult patients.
abstract: Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a life-sustaining therapy for hundreds of thousands of people who have severe impairment of gastrointestinal function. Trace elements are a small but very important part of PN that can be overlooked during busy practice. Serious complications can result from trace element deficiencies and toxicities, and this is especially problematic during times of product shortages. Practical information on parenteral trace element use can be gleaned from case reports, some retrospective studies, and very few randomized controlled trials. A general knowledge of trace element metabolism and excretion, deficiency and toxicity symptoms, products, optimal dosages, and strategies for supplementation, restriction, and monitoring will equip practitioners to provide optimal care for their patients who depend on PN.
authors.affiliation: Theresa A. Fessler, CNSC, Nutrition Support Specialist, Morrison Healthcare/University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA. Email: tafessler@comcast.net.
authors.forename: Theresa A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Fessler
mesh_terms: D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000172:deficiency / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements
keywords: home parenteral nutrition; micronutrients; nutritional support; parenteral nutrition; trace elements