[Content of trace elements in solutions for parenteral nutrition and blood derivatives].

Intravenous solutions contain both essential and nonessential trace elements. The manufacturer is not obliged to declare the concentration of trace elements contained therein. Therefore, a study was done to investigate the concentration of magnesium, copper, chromium, manganese and cobalt, as well as a possible contamination by aluminum and nickel, in 15 solutions used for parenteral nutrition and blood products applied in Germany. Measured against the daily parenteral requirements, negligible concentrations were found for all essential trace elements with the exception of chromium and cobalt. A marked contamination by the nonessential metal ions aluminum and nickel was detected in the 5% protein- and 20% albumin-solutions. Aluminum concentration was 16-49 mumol/l in the blood products and up to 4.9 mumol/l in the nutrient solutions. The concentration of nickel found in the protein- and hydroxyethyl starch solutions was 250 times higher than the normal serum level. It must be assumed that different manufacturing procedures lead to the different degrees of contamination of the solutions (up to 100%). In view of more recent publications, the aluminum contamination may be a potential hazard to patients with prolonged parenteral nutrition and certain risk groups among the critically ill.