Molybdenum in infancy: balance studies in patients with intestinal stomata

This study investigated the supply of the essential trace element molybdenu m (Mo) in infants with preternatural anus. It was divided into two separate investigations: (A) the complete fecal excretion of nine patients was coll ected in fractions over 24h; and (B) 72 h balance studies and parallel plas ma analysis were conducted in five infants and complemented by the longitud inal comparison of one of these patients with his (otherwise healthy) prema ture sister. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (balance studies) and high-reso lution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS, plasma) wer e used for analysis. The following results were obtained. (A) The fecal Mo concentration ranged from 1.98 to 42.02 nmol Mo g(-1) dry fecal weight. (13 ) The daily intake in the balance studies was 43.2 (11.33-100.5)nmol Mo kg( -1) and the median retention was -2.91 (-32.45 to 48.6)nmol Mo kg(-1). In t he premature twins the boy with an intestinal stoma had a negative balance and lost -3.32 mu mol within 32 d, while his sister retained +0.45 mu mol M o in the same period. Plasma Mo ranged between 9.4 and 46.7 nmol l(-1). Conclusion: The negative Mo balance results may indicate an increased risk of Mo deficiency in infants requiring a long-term preternatural anus.