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Selenium deficiency and miscarriage: a possible link?

J W Barrington·P Lindsay·D James·S Smith·A Roberts
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate a possible relationship between a deficiency in serum selenium concentration and first trimester miscarriage. DESIGN: An observational study. SETTING: A teaching hospital in South Wales. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Serum selenium, albumin and total protein concentration were measured in 40 women admitted with first trimester nonrecurrent miscarriage. The results were compared with an equal number of age-matched nonpregnant healthy volunteers, and also from 40 pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic for booking in the first trimester. RESULTS: A reduction in serum selenium normally occurs in the first trimester of pregnancies that progress to term. However, a further statistically highly significant decrease in serum selenium was observed in those women who miscarried. CONCLUSION: Further studies are required to assess the potential benefits of selenium supplements.

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Abortion, SpontaneousAdolescentAdultBlood ProteinsFemaleHumansPregnancyPregnancy ComplicationsPregnancy Trimester, FirstSeleniumSerum AlbuminJournal Article

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BibTeXRIS

J W Barrington, P Lindsay, D James, S Smith, A Roberts. 1996. Selenium deficiency and miscarriage: a possible link?. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.1996.tb09663.x

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