Aluminum in parenteral nutrition solution--sources and possible alternatives

The extent of aluminum (Al) contamination in parenteral nutrition (PN) solutions for infants is not known. Aluminum was measured in 136 samples from various commercially available components that are used with PN. Results showed Al content varied widely among different components. The same chemical may have a different Al content depending on the manufacturer. However, Al contents were similar among lots from the same manufacturer for the same chemical. Aluminum contamination was arbitrarily classified as high (greater than 500 micrograms Al/liter), intermediate (51-500 micrograms Al/liter) or low (less than or equal to 50 micrograms Al/liter). The high group included most calcium and phosphorus containing salts, 1 multivitamin preparation, folic acid, ascorbic acid and concentrated (25%) albumin. The intermediate group included sodium lactate, potassium phosphates, zinc and chromium chloride, multitrace metal preparation, and 5% plasma protein. The low group included amino acids, sterile water and dextrose water, chloride salts of sodium, potassium, calcium, copper and chromium, sodium phosphates, magnesium sulphate, zinc sulphate, vitamin B12, vitamin K1, 1 multivitamin preparation, soybean oil emulsion and heparinized (2 U/ml) saline. PN solutions made from high Al components may contain up to 300 micrograms Al/liter. Calcium gluconate contributed greater than 80% of the total Al load from PN. Lowering of Al content in calcium gluconate in addition to use of specific low Al components offers the opportunity to significantly lower the Al concentration of the final PN solution and theoretically may achieve an Al content as low as 12 micrograms/l.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)