RESUMO
BACKGROUND: We aimed to systematically review articles that reported selenium (Se) concentrations in human milk (HM). METHODS: using PRISMA guidelines we searched MEDLINE and Embase using the terms "human milk and Selenium". All clinical trials and systematic reviews were retrieved. RESULTS: Out of 1141 articles, we reviewed 76 full-text articles, excluding 26. Thus, 50 articles were included in meta-analyses. Most studies (N = 31) did not specify whether milk was from mothers of preterm (PT) or fullterm (T) infants. In the other 19 studies, 1 examined PT-EHM, 15 T-EHM, and 3 both PT-EHM and T-EHM. In most studies, Se concentrations were highest in colostrum or until 3 months of lactation, then declined. Metaanalyzed means of PT-EHM or T-EHM provide estimates of Se intake a little higher than those reported to date, but still lower than current recommendations of intake. CONCLUSION: This study provides clinicians with useful estimates of Se intake in breast-fed infants.