Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2025
Sublingual Immunotherapy as an Alternative to Induce Protection Against Acute Respiratory Infections
Published on: August 30, 2014
Oral Selenium as an Adjunct in the Treatment of Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Children: A Double-Blind
Rubeena Jamir Shaikh1, Trupti Amol Joshi2, Smita Madhusudan Mundada1
1Department of Pediatrics, Government Medical College Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India.
Insights
Oral selenium supplementation did not shorten recovery time or hospital stays for children with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTI). However, it significantly reduced the need for mechanical ventilation in these young patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Clinical Nutrition
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTI) are a leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality globally.
- Selenium is an essential trace element with known immunomodulatory properties.
- Understanding the role of micronutrients like selenium in managing pediatric infections is crucial for improving clinical outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of oral selenium as an adjunctive therapy for children under five years old diagnosed with ALRTI.
- To assess the impact of oral selenium on clinical recovery time, hospital stay duration, and the requirement for respiratory support.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted involving hospitalized children aged 6 months to 5 years with ALRTI.
- Participants received either oral selenium (20-30 mcg/day) or a placebo daily until discharge, alongside standard medical care.
- Primary outcome was time to clinical recovery; secondary outcomes included hospital stay duration, oxygen support needs, and adverse events.
Main Results:
- No significant difference was observed in the median time to clinical recovery (72h vs. 96h) or hospital stay duration (6 days vs. 6 days) between the selenium and placebo groups.
- A statistically significant reduction in the need for mechanical ventilation was noted in the selenium group (16.6%) compared to the placebo group (35%).
- No adverse side effects were reported with oral selenium administration.
Conclusions:
- Daily oral selenium supplementation (20-30 mcg) for 5-7 days does not accelerate clinical recovery or shorten hospital stays in young children with ALRTI.
- Oral selenium may play a beneficial role in reducing the severity of ALRTI by decreasing the need for mechanical ventilation in this pediatric population.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms and optimal use of selenium in pediatric respiratory infections.
Objective:
To evaluate the role of oral selenium in clinical recovery of acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTI) in under-five children.
Methods:
This double-blind, randomized controlled trial included children aged 6 months to 5 years hospitalised with ALRTI at a tertiary care hospital. Participants were randomized in 1:1 ratio to receive oral selenium (20-30 mcg/day) or placebo, once daily until discharge, along with standard treatment. The primary outcome was the time for clinical recovery. The secondary outcomes were the duration of hospital stay, modes of oxygen support required and side effects of selenium.
Results:
A total of 60 children were randomized to either groups. The median (IQR) time required for clinical recovery was 72 (54, 144) h in the selenium group and 96 (54, 120) h in the placebo group (P = 0.346). The median (IQR) duration of hospital stay was 6 (5, 7) days and 6 (6, 8) days in the selenium and placebo groups, respectively (P = 0.680). Mechanical ventilation was required in 10 (16.6%) and 21 (35%) children in the selenium and placebo groups, respectively (P = 0.020). No side effects were reported with the intervention.
Conclusions:
Oral selenium administered as an adjunct in a daily dose of 20-30 mcg orally for 5-7 days, does not reduce the time needed for clinical recovery or the duration of hospitalization but reduces the need for mechanical ventilation in under-five children with ALRTI.
Trial Registry:
CTRI/2023/04/051842.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Acute Respiratory Failure-V
Ensure that patients are monitored continuously for their response to therapy, including changes in...
01:23Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla. Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by...
01:17Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...
01:28Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
01:26Tonsillitis II: Management
01:30Acute Pharyngitis
Acute pharyngitis is the inflammation of the back of the throat (pharynx), commonly resulting in a sore throat. It is a frequently encountered condition that prompts individuals to seek medical advice.
Classification
Acute pharyngitis can be categorized based on its underlying cause: