[Selenium plasma concentration level in children with food allergy]

Selenium (Se) is an essential component of many mammalian enzymes and therefore plays an important role in different metabolic processes. Se deficiency occurs in inadequate diet consumption as well as in some digestive tract and allergic diseases. In this research we showed that Se plasma concentration levels in healthy children was 71.8 mg/l, whereas in those with food allergy 54.1 mg/l (with smaller intestinal villus atrophy) or 50.4 mg/l (with greater intestinal villus atrophy). Obtained results indicate that children with food allergy display higher risk of Se deficiency. Antioxidative and immunomodulatory action of Se, connecting with promising literature data of Se supplementation, promote us to state, that this trace element could be used for accessory food allergies treatment.