Effect of prenatal selenium supplementation on cord blood selenium and lipid profile.

BACKGROUND: Selenium is an essential trace element and as a component of selenoproteins it plays a key role as an antioxidant. We aimed to evaluate the effect of selenium supplementation during pregnancy on cord blood selenium content and lipid profile. METHODS: This trial was performed on 166 eligible women who were randomized to receive 100 µg of selenium, as selenium-yeast (Se group) or a placebo-yeast tablet (placebo group). Umbilical cord blood samples were collected at the time of delivery and selenium concentration and lipid profile were measured. RESULTS: Triglyceride levels were found to be significantly higher in the Se group than in the placebo group (p=0.01). However, no significant difference in cord blood selenium was observed between the groups nor were there any significant correlations between cord blood selenium and lipid profile parameters. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that selenium supplementation in pregnant women may be associated with an increased cord-blood triglyceride level, although total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels did not change significantly. The clinical significance of the increased cord triglyceride concentration needs to be evaluated.