ARS | Publication request: Parenteral amino acid intakes in critically ill children

Submitted to: Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 1, 2008
Publication Date: March 1, 2008
Citation: Sy, J., Gordon, W.E., Verbruggen, S., Arrivillaga, A., Lane, C., Stein, F., Castillo, L. 2008. Parenteral amino acid intakes in critically ill children [abstract]. Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. 22:869.26.

Technical Abstract: Parenteral amino acid formulas used in parenteral nutrition have a variable composition. To determine the amino acid intake of parenterally fed, critically ill children, and compare it with recommended dietary allowances (RDA) established by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), we retrospectively reviewed parenteral methionine intakes of 47 critically ill children, age 1 to 3 y, weight 8.6+2.9kg, admitted to the PICU over a 6-month period, who received TPN at full maintenance needs at least for 3 days. Eleven children received Aminosyn and 36 received Trophamine. Results are reported. Critically ill, parenterally fed children receive significantly higher (P<0.001) amounts of indispensable amino acids when compared to recommended enteral dietary intakes by the IOM, or to the estimated composition of amino acids incorporated into acute phase proteins. Indispensable amino acids are potentially toxic. Hence, specific functional and nutritional parenteral amino acid requirements in critically ill children need to be determined.