The problems of trace elements (TE) metabolism and of their supplementation in critically ill patients are different from metabolism and optimal daily intake under physiological conditions or during less dangerous diseases. Critically ill patients may to lose unmeasurable amount of these elements by gastric suction, by drain or fistula conent, by bleeding or blood sampling.
On the other side they receive unmeasurable amounts of TE thanks to contamination of infusions, solutions of parenteral nutrition or through the transfusions or supplementation of albumin. TE have the key significance for the alleviation of the oxidative stress.
With regard to critical states most often are discussed zinc, iron, copper and selenium.