Maternal serum selenium and low birth weight neonates

Abstract

Introduction: Selenium is an essential element for the protection against oxidative stress in different biological materials. Excessive or insufficient intake of selenium can lead to clinically relevant disturbances in tissue functions. Selenium status is particularly important for neonates, and infants. Therefore, the aim of this prospective study was to examine the relationship between the concentration of serum selenium in pregnant women and the incidence of low birth weight (< 2500 g) in their newborns.

Method: We conducted a case-control study on women who delivered low birth weight infants (Cases), and women with normal birth weight infants (Controls). We collected blood samples from all women within 24 hours of delivery, and assessed the concentration of selenium using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. We compared serum concentration of selenium between the two groups. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to control of potential confounding variables.

Results: A total of 123 mothers were studied, of them 70 Cases with low birth weight infants (1845 ± 472 g) and 53 Controls (birth weight = 3166 ± 435 g). Mothers in the Cases and Controls groups did not differ in age (24 ± 4 vs. 24.7 ± 5.4 years), body mass index (23.4 ± 3.4 vs. 22.9 ± 3.2), and socioeconomic or demographic factors. Maternal selenium concentration (μg/l) did not differ between Cases and Controls; 118.8 ± 24.5 μg/l vs. 122.5 ± 29.3 μg/l respectively. Maternal selenium did not differ between premature and full term deliveries. Small for gestational age and appropriate for gestational age newborns had similar maternal selenium concentrations.

Conclusion: In our study population, maternal selenium concentration had no impact on neonatal birth weights or premature deliveries.