Prenatal Maternal Low Selenium, High Thyrotropin, and Low Birth Weights

In consideration of the potential roles of selenoproteins in thyroid function, we aimed to evaluate the association of low selenium status with hypothyroidism during pregnancy and the association of maternal low thyroid function with infant birth size. We conducted a prospective birth cohort study in Shanghai in 2010 and investigated 1931 pregnant mothers of gestational weeks 28-36. Maternal serum selenium and thyrotropin (TSH) levels were determined and birth weights and lengths of newborns were measured. Other covariates were obtained through maternal interviews and medical records. A non-linear association was observed between maternal selenium and TSH levels. Two-piecewise multivariable linear regression models were therefore applied to assess the association of serum selenium with TSH levels, and multivariable linear regression models were applied to assess the association of TSH levels with birth weight/length. Adjusting for potential confounders, when maternal serum selenium levels < 103.7 μg/L (P25th), each unit increase in selenium levels (μg/L) was significantly associated with a decrease of 0.014 μIU/mL in TSH levels (β = - 0.014, 95%CI - 0.025, - 0.002, P = 0.023). However, when selenium levels ≥ 103.7 μg/L, there were no significant relationships between selenium and TSH (β = 0.000, 95%CI - 0.001, 0.002, P = 0.859). Maternal TSH levels were significantly inversely associated with infant birth weight (β = - 0.060, 95%CI - 0.100, - 0.010, P = 0.010). We observed a non-linear association between maternal selenium status and TSH levels. Low selenium status during pregnancy may associate with low thyroid function that was related with low birth weights. Graphical abstract .