Direct determination of selenium in serum by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with deuterium background correction and a reduced palladium modifier: age-specific reference ranges.

We describe the development of a direct method for determination of selenium in serum by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry with deuterium background correction. We include palladium modifier to stabilize selenium in the presence of a strong reducing agent. Spectral interferences from iron are not evident in this system. Because an analysis requires only 20 microL of serum or plasma, the method is applicable to neonatal populations. At a selenium concentration of 0.75 mumol/L (approximately the mean found in our pre-term infants), the within-run CV is 5.3%. For a concentration of 1.83 mumol/L, which approximates our normal adult mean, within-run and between-run CVs are 2.7% and 3.4%. Accuracy is demonstrated by analytical recoveries ranging from 96% to 102%. We present reference values for pre-term and term infants, and age-specific ranges for infants to adults.