Iron, zinc, and copper balance in short bowel patients on oral nutrition

Data are presented of a 5-day balance study for iron, zinc, and copper in seven patients with short bowel syndrome on oral nutrition. The small bowel remnant of these patients varied from 40 to 110 cm (mean 64 cm) and was radiologically normal in all patients. The study was carried out an average 2.7 yr (range 1 to 5 yr) after intestinal resection. Balance materials (diets, urine, and stools) were measured with neutron activation analysis. Mean iron balance was +28.6 µmol/day (±10.6 SD). Mean zinc balance was +5.4 µmol/day (±6.5 SD) and mean copper balance was +1.5 µmol/day (±2.3 SD). These results are comparable to those reported in healthy controls. When taking into account integumentary losses of these substances, the balance of each individual trace element remained acceptable. It is concluded that a satisfying iron, zinc, and copper status can be achieved in patients after an extensive small bowel resection on oral nutrition.