Characterization of selenium status of inhabitants in the region Usti nad Orlici, Czech Republic by INAA of blood serum and hair and fluorimetric analysis of urine.

Selenium is an essential trace element and its insufficient status may cause serious health complications for both individuals and the whole populations. To investigate the selenium status of the subpopulation in northeastern Bohemia represented by the region Ustí nad Orlicí, 253 serum, 469 urine, and 31 hair samples from 470 randomly selected volunteers between 6 and 65 yr of age have been analyzed for selenium concentration. Serum and hair Se were detected by instrumental neutron activation analysis (means: 55 +/- 11 micrograms Se/L sera, 0.268 +/- 0.040 microgram Se/g hair). Urine Se was measured by fluorimetry (12 +/- 5 micrograms Se/L urine) with coanalyses of Lyphocheck urine, SRM Urine 2670, and Seronorm urine for quality control of the method. Results proved significant age-dependent differences, but gender differences were not significant. The frequency plot of serum Se proved maximal frequencies in adults between 55 and 70 micrograms Se/L and in children in the range 45-55 micrograms Se/L. The same plots of urine Se for both age groups showed maximal frequency in the limits 8-15 micrograms Se/L. All indices used (Se in serum, urine, and hair) confirmed mild to severe selenium deficiency in the population of the region.