A.S.P.E.N. Parenteral Nutrition Trace Element Product Shortage Considerations

The document addressed the challenges and considerations during a shortage of intravenous (IV) trace element products used in parenteral nutrition (PN). A.S.P.E.N. provided guidelines to manage these shortages, emphasizing the assessment of patients for PN necessity and the use of oral or enteral supplements when possible. It recommended reserving IV multi-trace element products for those with a therapeutic need and suggested administering individual trace elements if multi-trace products were unavailable. The document highlighted the importance of monitoring for deficiencies and advised against using pediatric or neonatal products for adults to prevent shortages in those populations. It also discussed specific trace element shortages, such as zinc, copper, selenium, manganese, and chromium, and their associated deficiency symptoms.