The current practice of providing manganese supplementation to neonate
s on long term parenteral nutrition is leading to a high incidence of
hypermanganesaemia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRT) studies in adults
on long term manganese parenteral nutrition have shown changes in TI
weighted MRI images and similar findings in a neonate receiving trace
element supplementation are reported here. Whole blood manganese conce
ntration in the infant was 1740 nmol/l (or 8.3 times upper reference l
imit). In all neonates on long term parenteral nutrition with evidence
of cholestatic liver disease so far investigated, the whole blood man
ganese concentrations were >360 nmol/l (reference range 73-210). Manga
nese supplementation to patients on long term parenteral nutrition req
uires reappraisal, particularly in those who develop cholestatic liver
disease associated with parenteral nutrition.