Lower serum selenium concentration associated with anxiety in children

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Updated: Oct 15, 2025

Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood
08:09

Psychophysiological Assessment of the Effectiveness of Emotion Regulation Strategies in Childhood

Published on: February 11, 2017

11.7K

Jill Portnoy1, Jessica Wang2, Fenfen Wang2

  • 1University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA.

Journal of Pediatric Nursing
|October 23, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Lower serum selenium levels in children are linked to increased anxiety symptoms and disorders. This highlights the importance of child nutrition for mental well-being.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Nutritional Psychiatry
  • Mental Health Research

Background:

  • Limited research exists on the connection between selenium and childhood anxiety.
  • Selenium is an essential trace element vital for various bodily functions, including neurological health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between serum selenium concentrations and the prevalence of anxiety disorders in children.
  • To explore the relationship between selenium levels and specific anxiety symptoms in a pediatric cohort.

Main Methods:

  • The study included 831 children from the China Jintan Child Cohort Study (mean age 12.67 years).
  • Serum selenium levels were measured, and anxiety was assessed using the Chinese version of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED).
  • Six anxiety scores were computed: total, panic/somatic, generalized, separation, social anxiety, and school phobia.

Main Results:

  • Lower serum selenium concentrations were significantly associated with higher odds of total anxiety, panic/somatic, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and school phobia.
  • No significant association was found between serum selenium and separation anxiety.
  • Lower selenium levels correlated with higher continuous scores for total anxiety, generalized anxiety, and school phobia.

Conclusions:

  • A notable association exists between lower serum selenium levels and increased anxiety in children.
  • This study is the first to report on the link between serum selenium and anxiety disorders in a pediatric population.
  • Enhancing children's nutritional status, particularly selenium intake, may be a viable strategy for mitigating childhood anxiety.
Abstract

Keywords:
AnxietyChild mental healthMicronutrientsNutritionSerum selenium

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