Cord Blood Selenium Levels In Full Term and Preterm Neonates

Abstract

Fetalnutrition may reflect maternal nutrition, but abnormalities of placental function can also affect fetal growth. Selenium (Se) is one of the essential trace elements in humans and is an essential component of more than 10 selenoproteins with multiple biochemical functions. Selenium is a major cofactor of some important enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) which acts as a primary antioxidant enzyme and iodothyronine 5-deiodinase on which the deiodination reactions are dependent . It is important for its role in regulating growth and development of the fetus and newborn and concentration levels are critical as both low and high levels have harmful manifestations. This cross sectional study was conducted at El Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan Hospital in Cairo, it included 200 neonates which were classified into:150 Full term neonates and 50 Pre-term neonates, 96 Males and 104 Females, 74 were delivered by vaginal delivery and 126 were delivered by cesarean section

The results of this study showed that serum selenium concentrations were higher in pre-term neonates than in full term neonates. Additionally Pre-term neonates had significantly lower GA, Wt., and Lt. than full term neonates. Also females were significantly smaller in Weight than males. However, we found no association between mode of delivery or maternal selenium supplementation and serum selenium concentrations.