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Aluminium loading in premature infants during intensive care as related to clinical aspects
H B von Stockhausen1, L Schrod, P Brätter
1Universitäts-Kinderklinik, Würzburg, Fed. Rep. of Germany.
Insights
Premature infants receiving long-term parenteral nutrition are at risk of aluminium loading from contaminated fluids. Higher aluminium levels in these infants correlated with increased health complications, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia and necrotizing enterocolitis.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Intensive Care
- Clinical Chemistry
- Pediatric Nutrition
Background:
- Parenteral nutrition is critical for premature infants but can introduce contaminants.
- Aluminium exposure is a concern in neonatal intensive care units.
- Premature infants possess immature physiological systems, increasing susceptibility to toxic insults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate aluminium serum concentrations and urine excretion in premature infants during intensive care.
- To identify sources of aluminium contamination in intravenous fluids and feeding formulas.
- To assess the correlation between aluminium levels, gestational age, and clinical outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of serum and urine aluminium levels in 26 premature infants.
- Quantification of aluminium content in all administered parenteral nutrition fluids and oral feeding formulas.
- Correlation analysis between serum aluminium, gestational age, and infant complications.
Main Results:
- Significant aluminium contamination found in several parenteral nutrition fluids and milk formulae.
- Serum aluminium levels exceeded 10 micrograms/L in 22 infants, with higher levels in younger infants.
- A negative correlation was observed between serum aluminium levels and gestational age.
Conclusions:
- Premature infants are highly susceptible to aluminium loading from contaminated medical products.
- Elevated serum aluminium levels in premature infants are associated with increased incidence of severe complications.
- Careful monitoring and control of aluminium content in neonatal intensive care are essential.
Abstract:
Serum concentration and urine excretion of aluminium were examined during intensive care in 26 premature infants receiving long-time parenteral nutrition. In addition, aluminium content was analysed in all fluids and medicaments used for intravenous therapy and oral feeding. Several fluids for parenteral nutrition and milk formulae were highly contaminated with aluminium, especially serum conserves, human albumin, calcium gluconicum, and special diets for enteral disorders. Small premature infants have a predisposition to aluminium loading during intensive care. In 22 premature infants serum aluminium levels exceeded 10 micrograms/L. There was a significantly negative correlation between serum aluminium levels and gestational ages. Altogether, infants with high aluminium levels showed significantly more complications, especially bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, cholestasis, and osteopenia.