Serum selenium levels during normal pregnancy in healthy Spanish women.

In this study, we determined selenium concentrations in serum samples of healthy women (146 pregnant and 74 nonpregnant) living in the Mediterranean area of the coast of Granada (southeast Spain). The subjects were distributed in two groups: group A (pregnant women), divided into three categories according to the trimester of pregnancy, and group B (nonpregnant women). No significant differences were observed in the selenium levels either among pregnant women according to the trimester of pregnancy or in the group of nonpregnant women. No other significant differences were determined as regards the age of pregnant women (P > 0.05). Serum selenium levels are slightly lower during pregnancy. Considering that serum selenium levels affect the body selenium status, the concentrations determined establish the non-existence of selenium problems in the daily dietary intake with respect to maternal and fetal necessities during pregnancy.