Aluminium loading in premature infants during intensive care as related to clinical aspects.

Serum concentration and urine excretion of aluminium were examined during intensive care in 26 premature infants receiving long-time parenteral nutrition. In addition, aluminium content was analysed in all fluids and medicaments used for intravenous therapy and oral feeding. Several fluids for parenteral nutrition and milk formulae were highly contaminated with aluminium, especially serum conserves, human albumin, calcium gluconicum, and special diets for enteral disorders. Small premature infants have a predisposition to aluminium loading during intensive care. In 22 premature infants serum aluminium levels exceeded 10 micrograms/L. There was a significantly negative correlation between serum aluminium levels and gestational ages. Altogether, infants with high aluminium levels showed significantly more complications, especially bronchopulmonary dysplasia, necrotizing enterocolitis, cholestasis, and osteopenia.