Aluminum in Enteral Nutrition Formulas and Parenteral Solutions

BACKGROUND: To examine the aluminum content of several commercially available enteral nutrition formulas and parenteral solutions. METHODS: Twelve enteral nutrition formulas and 10 parenteral solutions were commonly used in routine clinical care of patients and obtained from different medical companies in Turkey. The aluminum contents were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry. RESULTS: We found that aluminum concentration in the enteral nutrition formulas and the parenteral solutions to range from 87.6 to 961.2 ng/mL and 58.4 to 1232.0 ng/mL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Careful clinical and biochemical monitoring are warranted to determine whether it will be necessary to eliminate aluminum contamination of enteral and parenteral preparations used in patients, particularly infants, with reduced kidney function who may be at risk for aluminum intoxication.