Acute depression of serum folate in surgical patients during preoperative infusion of ethanol-free parenteral nutrition.

Total parenteral nutrition for 48 h with Aminoplex solutions and a calorie source led to statistically similar, severe depression of the serum folate concentration (by 63-77%) irrespective of whether the calorie source contained ethanol, sorbitol, lipid or glucose. Folate levels were also depressed following infusion of other ethanol-free regimens (Freamine and glucose, 59%; Vamin and glucose, 44%). Least depression (31%0 followed use of Aminosol and glucose, a regimen based on casein hydrolysate. It seems important, therefore, to give prophylactic folate to all patients receiving parenteral nutrition, regardless of whether the calorie source is ethanol.