[Selenium and pregnancy].

Abstract

Selenium is an essential trace element with protective properties against endogenous or exogenous aggression, mainly due to the hyperproduction of oxygen derivatives. During pregnancy, a depletion in plasma selenium occurs regulated by hormones from the placenta. Selenium requirement is simultaneously increased which is partly satisfied by the increased retention of the element resulting from a decrease in selenium urinary excretion. The foetus accumulates selenium at the end of pregnancy by storing it in the liver. However, after birth, selenium stores rapidly deplete. Selenium deficiency is apparently not responsible for pregnancy or delivery problems in man. However, the infant is exposed to pronounced deficiency symptoms or to the worsening of some diseases liable to affect the young baby, particularly if premature because the usual selenium dietary intake is marginal in this country, selenium supplementation with 25 to 50 micrograms selenium per day is advisable and should be considered among other trace elements as a food supplement for pregnant and lactating woman.