TPN 101: Vitamins & Trace Elements in Focus

Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) includes a wide array of essential micronutrients—each with a unique role in patient recovery and metabolic stability. While there are many to consider, today let’s spotlight a few that often raise questions in clinical practice:

* Vitamin C – Crucial for collagen synthesis and immune defense. Deficiency can impair wound healing and increase infection risk.

* Zinc – A powerhouse for tissue repair and immune modulation. Often increased in patients with burns or high-output fistulas.

* Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) – Essential for carbohydrate metabolism and neurological function. Deficiency can lead to Wernicke’s encephalopathy, particularly in patients with prolonged malnutrition or increased metabolic demand.

* Copper – Supports iron metabolism and connective tissue formation, but can accumulate in cholestatic liver disease.