Parenteral trace elements in children: clinical aspects and dosage recommendations

The Role of Trace Elements in Cardiovascular Diseases

Essential trace elements play an important role in human physiology and are associated with various functions regulating cellular metabolism. Non-essential trace elements, on the other hand, often have well-documented toxicities that are dangerous for the initiation and development of diseases due to their widespread occurrence in the environment and their accumulation in living organisms. Non-essential trace elements are therefore regarded as serious environmental hazards that are harmful to health even in low concentrations. Many representatives of these elements are present as pollutants in our environment, and many people may be exposed to significant amounts of these substances over the course of their lives. Among the most common non-essential trace elements are heavy metals, which are also associated with acute poisoning in humans. When these elements accumulate in the body over years of chronic exposure, they often cause severe health damage in a variety of tissues and organs. In this review article, the role of selected essential and non-essential trace elements and their role in the development of exemplary pathophysiological processes in the cardiovascular system will be examined in more detail.

Select micronutrients for the preterm neonate

If premature neonates are not provided with adequate nutrition, they will quickly become deficient because of increased requirements and a lack of nutrient stores to achieve adequate growth. The provision of many of the recommended micronutrients for pediatric and adult patients is challenging in premature neonates because of the limited data surrounding the true needs of premature neonates and the difficulty in assessing adequate serum levels of these nutrients in this patient population. Parenteral and enteral nutrition shortages further complicate providing adequate micronutrients to premature neonates. This review will discuss select micronutrients and their importance to the preterm neonate, with special emphasis on micronutrients with limited evidence and more challenging supplementation and repletion strategies.

Macronutrients and Micronutrients in Parenteral Nutrition for Preterm Newborns: A Narrative Review

Preterm neonates display a high risk of postnatal malnutrition, especially at very low gestational ages, because nutritional stores are less in younger preterm infants. For this reason nutrition and growth in early life play a pivotal role in the establishment of the long-term health of premature infants. Nutritional care for preterm neonates remains a challenge in clinical practice. According to the recent and latest recommendations from ESPGHAN, at birth, water intake of 70-80 mL/kg/day is suggested, progressively increasing to 150 mL/kg/day by the end of the first week of life, along with a calorie intake of 120 kcal/kg/day and a minimum protein intake of 2.5-3 g/kg/day. Regarding glucose intake, an infusion rate of 3-5 mg/kg/min is recommended, but VLBW and ELBW preterm neonates may require up to 12 mg/kg/min. In preterm infants, lipid emulsions can be started immediately after birth at a dosage of 0.5-1 g/kg/day. However, some authors have recently shown that it is not always possible to achieve optimal and recommended nutrition, due to the complexity of the daily management of premature infants, especially if extremely preterm. It would be desirable if multicenter randomized controlled trials were designed to explore the effect of early nutrition and growth on long-term health.

Parenteral Provision of Micronutrients to Pediatric Patients: An International Expert Consensus Paper

INTRODUCTION

Micronutrients (vitamins and trace elements) are essential to all nutrition. For children and neonates who are dependent upon nutrition support therapies for growth and development, the prescribed regimen must supply all essential components. This paper aims to facilitate interpretation of existing clinical guidelines into practical approaches for the provision of micronutrients in pediatric parenteral nutrition.

METHODS

An international, interdisciplinary expert panel was convened to review recent evidence-based guidelines and published literature to develop consensus-based recommendations on practical micronutrient provision in pediatric parenteral nutrition.

RESULTS

The guidelines and evidence have been interpreted as answers to 10 commonly asked questions around the practical principles for provision and monitoring of micronutrients in pediatric patients.

CONCLUSION

Micronutrients are an essential part of all parenteral nutrition and should be included in the pediatric nutrition therapy care plan.

Parenteral Zinc Intake in Newborns With Jejunostomy or Ileostomy: Results of a Monocentric Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to assess zinc status of newborns with parenteral nutrition with or without a small bowel stoma, to determine the incidence of zinc deficit, and to determine the clinical factors associated with plasma zinc levels.

METHODS

Monocentric cohort study including all liveborn infants receiving zinc parenteral intake at 500 μg · kg · day and who benefited from at least 1 plasma zinc assessment during hospitalization.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight dosages of zinc were performed in 50 newborns, divided into 3 groups (no stoma = 26, jejunostomy = 11, ileostomy = 13). Thirty-seven of the 50 infants were born preterm. The mean ± standard deviation plasma zinc was 14.9 ± 4.3 μmol/L and was similar among the 3 groups. Sixty-four percent, 3%, and 34% of zinc values were within, below, and above the normal range, respectively. In infants with jejunostomy, only 1 plasma zinc value (5%) was below the reference range. Plasma zinc levels were negatively correlated with stoma output (r = -0.449; P = 0.013). In contrast to patients with limited intestinal losses (ie, no stoma and ileostomy groups) no association between zinc levels and postmenstrual age was observed in infants with a jejunostomy suggesting that 500 μg · kg · day was adequate not only in preterm infants but also in term infants with a jejunostomy.

CONCLUSION

Plasma zinc levels decrease significantly with the increase of stoma output volume of newborns with small bowel stoma. Zinc deficit was prevented in newborns with a small bowel stoma receiving of 500 μg · kg · day of parenteral zinc.

Adequacy of Parenteral Nutrition in Preterm Infants According to Current Recommendations: A Study in A Spanish Hospital

Background: In preterm infants, it is important to ensure adequate nutritional intake to accomplish foetal growth requirements. This study evaluated clinical practice regarding the prescription of parenteral nutrition in preterm infants in the neonatology unit of a tertiary hospital. Methods: It was a retrospective observational study of a sample of preterm infants (n = 155) born between January 2015 and December 2017 who were prescribed parenteral nutrition. Compliance with the hospital’s protocol and with the guidelines of the scientific societies American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) and Spanish Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (SENPE) was evaluated. The differences in macronutrient intake and total duration of parenteral nutrition were analysed according to gestational age and birth weight. Results: The established protocol was followed in a high percentage (95.5%–100%) except with respect to the initiation of supplying established trace elements (64.9%). Compliance with the recommendations set forth in the guidelines was between 82.1% and 100%, with the exception of the initial carbohydrate intake recommended by ASPEN and ESPEN, for which compliance was 8.3%. Lower gestational age and birth weight were correlated with longer duration of parenteral nutrition (p < 0.001). Conclusions: A lower gestational age and birth weight are related to a longer duration of parenteral nutrition. The results of this study demonstrate the importance of developing and evaluating protocols in clinical practice.

Brazilian Nutritional Consensus in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Adults

The nutritional status of patients submitted to hematopoietic stem cell transplant is considered an independent risk factor, which may influence on quality of life and tolerance to the proposed treatment. The impairment of nutritional status during hematopoietic stem cell transplant occurs mainly due to the adverse effects resulting from conditioning to which the patient is subjected. Therefore, adequate nutritional evaluation and follow-up during hematopoietic stem cell transplant are essential. To emphasize the importance of nutritional status and body composition during treatment, as well as the main characteristics related to the nutritional assessment of the patient, the Brazilian Consensus on Nutrition in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant: Adults was prepared, aiming to standardize and update Nutritional Therapy in this area. Dietitians, nutrition physicians and hematologists from 15 Brazilian centers thar are references in hematopoietic stem cell transplant took part.

Copper Deficiency in Children With Intestinal Failure: Risk Factors and Influence on Hematological Cytopenias

BACKGROUND

We investigated to what extent serum copper influences hemoglobin (Hb), neutrophil, and platelet counts and the factors associated with serum copper in children with intestinal failure (IF) who have their micronutrient status monitored according to a standard protocol.

METHODS

Children with IF admitted to a pediatric intestinal rehabilitation program and receiving home parenteral nutrition (PN) were followed up prospectively. Patients received vitamins and multi-trace elements (TEs) as part of the PN. Copper, iron, zinc, vitamin A, and cobalamin serum levels were routinely monitored at 3-month intervals or monthly when a deficiency was detected. Complete blood counts were performed biweekly. Repeated-measures analyses were used to estimate the effect of explanatory variables on the outcomes.

RESULTS

Thirteen children with a median time receiving PN of 16.6 months were included. An average of 7 copper measurements per patient were performed; 53.8% of patients had a low serum level at least twice during the follow-up. Eight patients with cholestasis had TEs of PN discontinued. In the multivariable analysis, copper was not associated with Hb levels; an increase of 10 µg/dL in serum copper resulted in an increase of 240/mm³ (95% confidence interval [CI], 18.0-30.1) neutrophils and of 8429/mm³ (95% CI, 466-1219) platelets (P < .001). Time of PN without copper, direct bilirubin levels, and ostomy were associated with lower serum copper.

CONCLUSION

The increase in serum copper was associated with significant increases in neutrophil and platelet counts. Time without copper in PN, cholestasis, and having an ostomy negatively influenced copper status.

Monitoring of long-term parenteral nutrition in children with intestinal failure

Pediatric intestinal failure (IF) is a rare and complex condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It is defined as the reduction of gut mass or function below the minimal needed for absorption of nutrients and fluid to sustain life and growth. Since the advent of specialized multidisciplinary intestinal rehabilitation centers, IF management has considerably evolved in the last years, but serious complications of long-term parenteral nutrition (PN) can occur. Main complications include intestinal failure-associated liver disease, growth failure, body composition imbalance, central venous access complications, micronutrient deficiencies and toxicities, metabolic bone disease, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and renal disease. With improvement in survival rates of patients over the last 20 years, emphasis should be on limiting IF-related comorbidities and improving quality of life. Close monitoring is pivotal to ensuring quality of care of these patients. The care of children with chronic IF should involve a comprehensive monitoring plan with flexibility for individualization according to specific patient needs. Monitoring of children on long-term PN varies significantly across units and is mainly based on experience, although few guidelines exist. This narrative review summarizes the current knowledge and practices related to monitoring of children with IF. The authors also share their 20-year experience at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne Australia on this topic.

Trace Element Provision in Parenteral Nutrition in Children: One Size Does Not Fit All

Routine administration of trace elements is recognised as a standard of care in children requiring parenteral nutrition. However, there is a lack of global consensus regarding trace elements provision and dosing in pediatric parenteral nutrition. This review provides an overview of available evidence regarding trace elements supply and posology in parenteral nutrition in neonates and children. Trace elements provision in children should be tailored to the weight and clinical condition of the child with emphasis on those at risk of toxicity or deficiency. Based on current evidence, there is a need to review the formulation of commercial solutions that contain multiple-trace elements and to enable individual trace elements additives to be available for specific indications. Literature supports the removal of chromium provision whereas manganese and molybdenum supplementation are debated. Preterm neonates may have higher parenteral requirements in iodine, selenium and copper than previously recommended. There is growing support for the routine provision of iron in long-term parenteral nutrition. Further studies on trace elements contamination of parenteral nutrition solutions are needed for a range of trace elements.

Indications and complications of inpatient parenteral nutrition prescribed to children in a large tertiary referral hospital

BACKGROUND

Parenteral Nutrition (PN) is prescribed to children with intestinal failure. Although life saving, complications are common. Recommendations for indications and constituents of PN are made in the 2005 guidelines by the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN). The aim of this study was to establish if the indications for prescribing PN in a tertiary children's hospital were appropriate, and to identify complications encountered. Data were compared to those published by the National Confidential Enquiry into patient outcome and death (NCEPOD) carried out in the United Kingdom in 2010.

METHODS

Children and newborns receiving inpatient PN over a 6 months period were entered into the study and data was collected prospectively. The appropriate indications for the use of PN were based on the ESPGHAN guidelines. Recorded complications were divided into metabolic, central venous catheter (CVC) related, hepatobiliary and nutritional.

RESULTS

A total of 303 children (67 newborns) were entered into the study. The main indications for the start of PN were critical illness (66/303), surgery (63/303) and bone marrow transplantation (28/303). The ESPGHAN recommendations were followed in 91.7% (278/303) of cases (95.5% of newborns, 90.7% of children). PN was considered inappropriate in 12/303 patients and equivocal in 13. The mean PN duration was 18 days (1-160) and the incidence of complications correlated to the length of PN prescribed. Metabolic, hepatobiliary and CVC related complications affected 74.6, 24.4, 16.4% of newborns and 76.7, 37.7 and 24.6% of children respectively. In relation to the appropriate indications for the start of PN our results mirrored those reported by the NCEPOD audit (92.4% of newborns and 88.6% children). However, the incidence of metabolic disturbances was higher in our cohort (74.6% vs 30.4% in children, 76.7% vs 14.3% in newborns) but CVC related complications lower amongst our newborns (16,4% vs 25%).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the indications for inpatient PN in children is mostly justified, there is still a proportion who is receiving PN unnecessarily. PN related complications remain common. There is a need for better education amongst health professionals prescribing PN and access to nutritional support teams to reduce unwanted side effects.

Copper Supplementation in Premature Infants With Parenteral Nutrition-Associated Cholestasis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intermittent parenteral copper supplementation (IPC) on serum copper status and biochemical and hematological measures of copper toxicity and deficiency in premature infants with parenteral nutrition (PN)-associated cholestasis (PNAC). We performed a prospective nested observational study in premature infants with PNAC who received IPC after the development of PNAC. Infants with chromosomal disorders, TORCH (toxoplasmosis, parvovirus, syphilis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes, human immunodeficiency virus) infection, metabolic disorder, and/or surgical abnormality of the hepatobiliary system were excluded. Serum copper concentrations were measured once every 2-4 weeks while receiving PN; 24 premature infants were studied. The mean gestational age (GA) of infants was 28.6 ± 4.7 weeks. On regression analysis, there was no significant association between IPC and serum copper concentration (coefficient 2.72, 95% CI: -27 to 32; P = .84) after controlling for GA, gender, and baseline copper intake before PNAC. There was no significant association of IPC with alanine and aspartate transaminases levels (hepatotoxicity) and platelet count, hematocrit, white blood cell count, and neutrophil count (measures of copper deficiency) after controlling for confounders. GA and postmenstrual age were independently and positively associated with serum copper concentration after controlling for confounders on regression analyses. Thus, IPC in premature infants with PNAC does not influence copper status and is not associated with biochemical and hematological measures of copper deficiency and/or toxicity. Serum copper concentration in premature infants with PNAC receiving IPC is determined by the degree of prematurity and postmenstrual age.

Non-dialytic management of acute kidney injury in newborns

Treating acute kidney injury (AKI) in newborns is often challenging due to the functional immaturity of the neonatal kidney. Because of this physiological limitation, renal replacement therapy (RRT) in this particular patient population is difficult to execute and may lead to unwanted complications. Although fluid overload and electrolyte abnormalities, as seen in neonatal AKI, are indications for RRT initiation, there is limited evidence that RRT initiated in the first year of life improves long-term outcome. The underlying cause of AKI in a newborn patient should determine the treatment strategies to restore appropriate renal function. However, our understanding of this common clinical condition remains limited, as no standardized, evidence-based definition of neonatal AKI currently exists. Non-dialytic management of AKI in these patients may restore appropriate renal function to these patients without exposure to complications often encountered with RRT.

Parenteral trace element provision: recent clinical research and practical conclusions

The aim of this systematic review (PubMed, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed and Cochrane, www.cochrane.org; last entry 31 December 2014) was to present data from recent clinical studies investigating parenteral trace element provision in adult patients and to draw conclusions for clinical practice. Important physiological functions in human metabolism are known for nine trace elements: selenium, zinc, copper, manganese, chromium, iron, molybdenum, iodine and fluoride. Lack of, or an insufficient supply of, these trace elements in nutrition therapy over a prolonged period is associated with trace element deprivation, which may lead to a deterioration of existing clinical symptoms and/or the development of characteristic malnutrition syndromes. Therefore, all parenteral nutrition prescriptions should include a daily dose of trace elements. To avoid trace element deprivation or imbalances, physiological doses are recommended.

Zinc: physiology, deficiency, and parenteral nutrition

The essential trace element zinc (Zn) has a large number of physiologic roles, in particular being required for growth and functioning of the immune system. Adaptive mechanisms enable the body to maintain normal total body Zn status over a wide range of intakes, but deficiency can occur because of reduced absorption or increased gastrointestinal losses. Deficiency impairs physiologic processes, leading to clinical consequences that include failure to thrive, skin rash, and impaired wound healing. Mild deficiency that is not clinically overt may still cause nonspecific consequences, such as susceptibility to infection and poor growth. The plasma Zn concentration has poor sensitivity and specificity as a test of deficiency. Consequently, diagnosis of deficiency requires a combination of clinical assessment and biochemical tests. Patients receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) are susceptible to Zn deficiency and its consequences. Nutrition support teams should have a strategy for assessing Zn status and optimizing this by appropriate supplementation. Nutrition guidelines recommend generous Zn provision from the start of PN. This review covers the physiology of Zn, the consequences of its deficiency, and the assessment of its status, before discussing its role in PN.

Review of trace mineral requirements for preterm infants: what are the current recommendations for clinical practice?

Inadequate nutrient stores at birth are an inevitable consequence of being born prematurely. Preterm infants also have high nutrient requirements, which increase with earlier gestational ages. As a result, early nutrition intervention is required to prevent further deficits that, if not corrected, can affect growth and long-term outcomes. Preterm infants often require several weeks of parenteral nutrition (PN) support, which includes trace mineral supplementation. Trace minerals are considered essential nutrients, unable to be synthesized in the human body. Deficiencies of trace minerals have been reported, yet evidence-based guidelines for assessment and supplementation have not been clearly defined. Food and Drug Administration-approved parenteral trace mineral intake guidelines are more than 30 years old. In an effort to more clearly define trace mineral supplementation and monitoring guidelines for preterm infants, a review of literature was performed with the purpose to (1) summarize trace mineral roles in preterm infants, (2) describe clinical signs of deficiency and toxicity, and (3) present intake recommendations and considerations for preterm infants based on current available literature. Review of literature was completed using PubMed and Cochrane databases to find relevant studies specific to trace mineral requirements for preterm infants, trace mineral supplementation of PN, human milk fortifiers, and preterm infant formulas. Review of literature supports that trace mineral depletion can lead to clinical compromise in preterm infants; therefore, suggesting that every effort be made to ensure adequate provision of trace minerals is given to preterm infants. Practical considerations for the clinical nutrition management of preterm infants were also identified in this review.

Developing and implementing all-in-one standard paediatric parenteral nutrition

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a feeding mode suitable for children that do not achieve requirements via the enteral route. For this intervention to be successful, healthcare professionals require: knowledge on nutrient requirements; access to an aseptic compounding facility; and a system that ensures adequate and safe delivery of PN. Previously, it was thought that individualised PN was the "gold standard" for delivering nutrients to children; however, studies have highlighted concerns regarding inadequate delivery of nutrients, prescribing and compounding errors. We, therefore, set out to develop and implement all-in-one (AIO) paediatric PN solutions. Through a systematic approach, four AIO PN solutions were developed: birth-two months of age (Ped 1); two months-10 kg (Ped 2); 11-15 kg (Ped 3); and 16-30 kg (Ped 4). We implemented them with the help of a teaching pack, over a one month time period, and reviewed usage at six months. At that time, five children initially received standard PN without electrolyte changes; but after a few days, electrolytes needed amendments, and three required individualised PN. A change to AIO PN is feasible and safe; however, some may require electrolyte changes, and there will always be those that will require individualised PN.