[Fluorine in parenteral nutrition solutions]

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Clinical Nutrition
• Materials Science

Background:

• Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is crucial for patients unable to receive nutrition orally.
• Assessing the potential contribution of trace elements like fluoride (F) in TPN solutions is important for patient safety.
• The packaging of TPN solutions may influence the content of its components.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the daily fluoride (F) contribution to patients receiving TPN.
• To quantify the fluoride (F) content in various commercial TPN solutions.
• To compare fluoride (F) levels with recommended daily intake for safety.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of fluoride (F) content in 61 commercial TPN solutions.
• Utilized a potentiometric method with a fluoride-selective electrode and a double junction reference electrode.
• Differentiated analysis based on packaging materials (glass ampules vs. plastic/other glass containers).

Main Results:

• Fluoride (F) was detected only in TPN solutions packaged in glass ampules.
• Fluoride (F) content ranged from 115 µg/L (10% calcium chloride) to 931 µg/L (potassium chloride) in glass ampules.
• The total daily fluoride (F) contribution from TPN preparations was less than 100 µg/day.

Conclusions:

• The fluoride (F) contribution from TPN solutions, particularly those in glass ampules, is significantly below the recommended safe daily intake.
• Packaging material is a critical factor influencing fluoride (F) leaching into TPN solutions.
• Current TPN formulations and packaging present a negligible risk regarding fluoride (F) toxicity.