Abstract
Selenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunological properties. It is an important component of parenteral nutrition (PN). In 2012, ASPEN increased its standard recommendation on Se provision in PN for adults and recommended that commercially available multi-trace element (MTE) products should be modified accordingly. Some patients’ Se requirements are higher than the standard recommendation. Nutrition support teams (NSTs) should be able to identify these patients and provide additional Se. Recently, there has been interest in supplemention of Se at high doses for critically ill patients to improve clinical outcomes. This is called pharmaconutrition. This article provides guidance on providing Se in PN and on its use as a pharmaconutrient.