Revista de Nutrição e Ciências Alimentares
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Selenium in Pregnant Women: Mini Review

Zachara BA

Selenium (Se) is a trace element extremely important for proper development and growth of the organism. The concentration of Se in blood components of women in early stages of pregnancy varies widely from one country to another and depends, largely, on the amount of daily dietary selenium intake. Se intake of 1 μg/kg body weight, i.e., 60 μg-70 μg per day, is recommended for adults. Dietary Se intake in the world is highly differentiated, from 30 μg-50 μg in most European countries to more than 100 μg in the USA, Canada and Japan. Many authors have shown that in pregnant women who have a relatively low level of Se in the body, during pregnancy the concentration of the element decreases. In contrast, in women with a high concentration of Se in the body, the concentration usually is unchanged. A pregnant woman transmits the element from her body to the developing fetus. This element progressively accumulates in the organs of the growing fetus. Breast milk concentration reflects maternal selenium intake and increases in response to selenium intake. Since the deficiency of Se in humans can lead to various complications (spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia, low birth weight), a number of authors recommend that women planning to become pregnant or being at an early stage of pregnancy and have low blood level of Se should have this element administered.