Iron provision in parenteral nutrition

Abstract

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