[Human selenium deficiency during total parenteral nutrition support (a case report)].

There is accumulating evidence that selenium plays an important role in human nutrition. We have seen an increasing number of reports of selenium deficiency in patients after long-term Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) support, such as Home Parenteral Nutrition support. There had been no such patient reported in China until now. A sever multiple gastro-intestinal external fistulae patient was admitted in early Oct. 1985. His intestinal fluid loss was about 4-6 liters/day and he was a resident of a town where many people have low serum selenium levels. After two weeks of high calorie, high nitrogen TPN support, his serum selenium levels were 7.14, 6.25, and 7.97 micrograms/L (around the 3rd and 4th weeks of such TPN support). The patient also showed a higher heart rate and pain in the thigh muscle. After 4 weeks of selenium supplement, his serum selenium levels and heart rate were back to normal and the muscle pain disappeared.