Iron (Fe) is the most abundant trace element (TE) in the body. Although it is an essential
nutrient there is no worldwide consensus on whether it should be routinely provided in
parenteral nutrition (PN). Indeed, there is a transatlantic difference in practice, Fe being
routinely provided in PN in Europe but not in the United States (US). This is reflected in
the formulation of the multi-TE (MTE) products used in the two continents. This article
discusses the provision of Fe for patients treated with PN, including the arguments for
and against providing it in PN itself. It also discusses the assessment of Fe status in patients
treated with PN
