Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of vitamins, trace elements, or iron on lipid peroxidation in all-in-one parenteral nutrition (PN) admixtures for preterm neonates.
Methods: Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were analyzed over a 24-hour period (H1-H24) in lipid-containing PN solutions that have a composition identical to that used in the routine clinical care of preterm infants. Six different solutions were prepared and evaluated when exposed to ambient light and light-protected conditions as follows: control (without vitamins [Vit], trace elements [TE], or iron [Fe] [Vit-TE-Fe-]), solution 1 (Vit+TE+Fe-), solution 2 (Vit+TE-Fe-), solution 3 (Vit-TE+Fe-), solution 4 (Vit-TE-Fe+), and solution 5 (Vit+TE+Fe+).
Results: MDA concentrations in PN solutions were significantly higher at H24 than at H0 when they contained multivitamins (P < .001), trace elements (P = .002), or iron saccharate (P = .018). MDA concentration was particularly high when all 3 micronutrients were present (P < .001) or when the solutions were exposed to ambient light. In solutions containing iron, MDA concentrations were elevated at H0, and levels did not change whether protected from (P < .001) or exposed to (P < .001) from light.
Conclusions: The addition of vitamins and trace elements to PN solutions induces a significant increase in peroxidation products, which are lowered when admixtures are protected from light. Iron should not be included in these solutions, even if solutions are light-protected. By following these conditions it is possible to use all-in-one admixtures in the nutrition management of preterm infants.