ABSTRACT
In this study, we determined the levels of 8 minerals (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn)in sera of 30 patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for more than 5 d and tested the 8 mineral concentrations in the 16 drugs and solutions often usrd for TPN.The concentrations of Na, K, Ca, and Mg in the TPN drugs and solutions were much higher than those of the trace elements (Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn).Severe zinc deficiency was found in 2 patients receiving TPN for about 60 d and 171 d and their s:rum zinc concentrations lowered to 5.00 umol/L and 1.22 umol/L, respectively with clinical symptoms and signs induced by zinc deficiency.Our results show that mineral deficiencies do not occur at least within 2 weeks in short-term TPN patients, but in long-term TPN patients mineral deficiencies, especially zinc deficiency may appear.