BACKGROUND/AIMS: Selenium is an essential trace element for humans. Plasma selenium concentration is decreased in adults with cirrhosis. We aimed to investigate the serum selenium concentration in cirrhotic children. METHODS: The serum selenium concentration of 38 patients was determined by spectrofluorometric method. The results of the patients were compared with those of 41 age- and gender-matched healthy children. Correlations between the liver function tests, Child classes and serum selenium concentrations in cirrhotic children were also investigated. RESULTS: The mean serum selenium concentration in cirrhotic children was significantly lower than that of controls (42.4 ± 8.2 μg/L vs 64.4 ± 16.9 μg/L, p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the serum selenium concentrations of cirrhotic children who were in Child-Pugh class A versus B+C (p>0.05). Except for serum aspartate aminotransferase level (Pearson coefficient = -0.34), there was no correlation between serum selenium concentration and liver function tests in cirrhotic children. CONCLUSIONS: Serum selenium concentration in cirrhotic children was found to be low; supportive selenium administration may be beneficial in cirrhotic children in appropriate cases.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Selenium is an essential trace element for humans. Plasma selenium concentration is decreased in adults with cirrhosis. We aimed to investigate the serum selenium concentration in cirrhotic children. METHODS: The serum selenium concentration of 38 patients was determined by spectrofluorometric method. The results of the patients were compared with those of 41 age- and gender-matched healthy children. Correlations between the liver function tests, Child classes and serum selenium concentrations in cirrhotic children were also investigated. RESULTS: The mean serum selenium concentration in cirrhotic children was significantly lower than that of controls (42.4 ± 8.2 μg/L vs 64.4 ± 16.9 μg/L, p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the serum selenium concentrations of cirrhotic children who were in Child-Pugh class A versus B+C (p>0.05). Except for serum aspartate aminotransferase level (Pearson coefficient = -0.34), there was no correlation between serum selenium concentration and liver function tests in cirrhotic children. CONCLUSIONS: Serum selenium concentration in cirrhotic children was found to be low; supportive selenium administration may be beneficial in cirrhotic children in appropriate cases.
Authors: Andrew G Cox; Allison Tsomides; Andrew J Kim; Diane Saunders; Katie L Hwang; Kimberley J Evason; Jerry Heidel; Kristin K Brown; Min Yuan; Evan C Lien; Byung Cheon Lee; Sahar Nissim; Bryan Dickinson; Sagar Chhangawala; Christopher J Chang; John M Asara; Yariv Houvras; Vadim N Gladyshev; Wolfram Goessling Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2016-09-01 Impact factor: 11.205
Authors: Renata Germano B O N Freitas; Roberto Jose N Nogueira; Maria Angela R G M Antonio; Antonio de Azevedo Barros-Filho; Gabriel Hessel Journal: Rev Paul Pediatr Date: 2014-03