Hypouricemia in total parenteral nutrition.

Profound hypouricemia developed in significant number of patients receiving total parenteral nutrition. Nadir serum uric acid (values between 1 and 2.7 mg/100 ml) were noted between the 2nd and 17th day of the course. Return of serum uric acid to pretreatment values was noted within seven days after the termination of total parenteral nutrition. In an effort to explain this phenomenon urine uric acid and uric acid clearance were measured in a subsequent group of patients before and during the course of total parenteral nutrition was not directly identified.