Capillary whole blood selenium determination in assessing selenium status of children

Selenium levels in venous and capillary whole blood of children were assessed by direct graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Selenium data obtained for both blood samples did not differ statistically (p > 0.05). Capillary blood may therefore be used as an alternative to venous blood, which is more difficult to obtain from children. Whole-blood selenium data for children in the Antwerp region (Belgium) were compared with literature data for children from other countries.