Related Experiment Videos
Selenium status, kwashiorkor and congestive heart failure
M J Manar1, G D MacPherson, F Mcardle
1College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blanthre. manary@kids.wustl.edu
Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|September 1, 2001
Summary
Selenium deficiency is linked to congestive heart failure (CHF) in children with kwashiorkor. Lower serum selenium levels were observed in children who developed CHF, suggesting a potential role for selenium in this condition.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Clinical Nutrition
Background:
- Selenium deficiency is linked to congestive heart failure (CHF) in specific populations.
- Kwashiorkor, a severe form of malnutrition, can affect cardiac function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum selenium concentrations and the development of CHF in children with kwashiorkor.
Main Methods:
- Serum selenium levels were measured in 66 children diagnosed with kwashiorkor (including marasmic-kwashiorkor).
- Children were assessed for the presence of CHF.
- Statistical analysis compared selenium levels between children with and without CHF, controlling for serum albumin.
Main Results:
- Children with kwashiorkor who developed CHF had significantly lower mean serum selenium concentrations (32.9 +/- 8.3 microg/L) compared to those without CHF (41.1 +/- 11.9 microg/L, p = 0.03).
- This association remained significant even after adjusting for serum albumin levels.
- Selenium status was not correlated with symptom severity, anthropometric measurements, or HIV infection status.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest a potential contributory role of selenium in the pathogenesis of congestive heart failure in children with kwashiorkor.
- Further research is warranted to explore selenium's direct impact on cardiac function in malnutrition.