Molybdenum in infancy: balance studies in patients with intestinal stomata

Abstract

This study investigated the supply of the essential trace element molybdenum (Mo) in infants with preternatural anus. It was divided into two separate investigations: (A) the complete fecal excretion of nine patients was collected in fractions over 24 h; and (B) 72 h balance studies and parallel plasma analysis were conducted in five infants and complemented by the longitudinal comparison of one of these patients with his (otherwise healthy) premature sister. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (balance studies) and high‐resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR‐ICP‐MS, plasma) were 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. (B) 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 the premature twins the boy with an intestinal stoma had a negative balance and lost –3.32 μmol within 32 d, while his sister retained +0.45 μmol Mo in the same period. Plasma Mo ranged between 9.4 and 46.7 nmol 1−1. Conclusion: The negative Mo balance results may indicate an increased risk of Mo deficiency in infants requiring a long‐term preternatural anus.