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Vitamin Plasma Levels in Long-Term Enteral Feeding Patients

Gastroenterology and Nutrition Services, Department of Medicine Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Cornell University Medical College New York, New York, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey

Rachel Morse

Gastroenterology and Nutrition Services, Department of Medicine Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Cornell University Medical College New York, New York, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey

Oscar Frank

Gastroenterology and Nutrition Services, Department of Medicine Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Cornell University Medical College New York, New York, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey

Herman Baker

Gastroenterology and Nutrition Services, Department of Medicine Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Cornell University Medical College New York, New York, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey

Moshe Shike

Gastroenterology and Nutrition Services, Department of Medicine Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Cornell University Medical College New York, New York, New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey

Plasma levels of vitamins were determined in eight patients who were nourished with long-term enteral feeding using commercial formulas. The type and quantity of the formula were individually tailored to the patients' needs. Caloric intake (mean ± SEM) amounted to 1564 ± 97 kcal/day. Vitamins intake from the formulas, expressed as percent of Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA), was as follows: pantothenic acid, 222 ± 44%; vitamin B₁₂, 206 ± 34%; vitamin C, 376±51% ; thiamine, 207± 34%; niacin, 207± 34%; riboflavin, 207 ± 34%; pyridoxine, 222 ± 17%; biotin, 113 ± 13%; vitamin A, 93 ± 4%; and folic acid, 104 ± 14%. Plasma levels of thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, folic acid, and vitamin B₁₂ were within normal limits in all patients. Two patients had lower than normal plasma levels of nicotinic acid despite the high intake. Plasma biotin levels were above normal in all patients, with a mean of 931 ± 140 pg/ml (N: 200-500 pg/ml). Ascorbic acid levels were within or above normal, but no correlation with intake was found. Carotene levels were measured in five patients and found to be below the lower limit of normal, a reflection of lack of intake from the enteral formulas. The plasma vitamin A levels were normal in all patients. It is concluded that feeding with commercial enteral formulas results in normal plasma levels of vitamins in patients maintained on these formulas for over 6 months. The excessive amounts of vitamins in the formulas do not result in elevated plasma levels, except for Biotin. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 13:525-528, 1989)

Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, Vol. 13, No. 5, 525-528 (1989)
DOI: 10.1177/0148607189013005525


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