[Nickel content of parenteral nutrition solutions]

Determination of the nickel content in 49 commercial solutions used in parenteral nutrition, by means of atomic absorption spectroscopy in a graphite kiln. Important differences were found between the different components (less than 5 to 23.000 ppb). The largest concentrations of Ni were found in sodium chloride, phosphate salts, 10% calcium chloride and 2M potassium chloride, whereas the aminoacid, glucose and lipid solutions contained the smallest concentrations. The amount of Nickel in the preparations varied depending on the supplier and different salts of the compound itself. The Nickel intake in 2 TPN solutions with high and low concentrations of Ni (827 and 270 micrograms respectively) was also analyzed, and this intake was higher than the estimated amount absorbed in the diet. In the case of the TPN with a high Nickel content, this was higher than the level detected as being the cause of sensitivity reactions in patients sensitive to Nickel.