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[Selenium administration in severe inflammatory surgical diseases and burns in childhood]
J Börner1, T Zimmermann, S Albrecht
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinderchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität, Dresden.
Insights
Selenium supplementation in children with Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) supports recovery. This therapy helps normalize inflammatory markers and improves cell membrane protection, aiding recovery from severe surgical conditions and burns.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Clinical Nutrition
- Biochemistry
Context:
- Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) affects children with severe surgical diseases and burns.
- Selenium is an essential trace element crucial for various bodily functions.
- Assessing the role of selenium in pediatric inflammatory conditions is important for treatment strategies.
Purpose:
- To investigate the effects of selenium substitution in pediatric patients with SIRS.
- To evaluate the impact of selenium on key clinical and biochemical parameters in these children.
Summary:
- Selenium substitution was administered to 34 children (aged 1-16) with SIRS due to severe surgical conditions or burns.
- Paraclinical parameters including inflammatory markers (white cell count, IL-6, CRP), lipid peroxidation (MDA), and selenium status were monitored.
- Patients receiving selenium showed faster normalization of inflammatory markers and improved antioxidant status compared to a control group.
Impact:
- Selenium substitution can accelerate recovery in pediatric SIRS patients.
- It helps mitigate oxidative stress by reducing lipid peroxidation.
- This supplementation acts as a supportive therapy, enhancing cell membrane protection and overall recovery in critically ill children.
Patients And Method:
Substitution of selenium was performed in the University Clinic of Paediatric Surgery in Dresden in the time from 1994 to 1996 in 34 children aged 1 to 16 years with severe inflammatory surgical diseases as well a s widespread burns. Seven further patients have been examined within this time who have not received substitution of selenium as preliminary comparison group. All these patients fulfilled the criteria of "Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome" (SIRS). The following paraclinical parameters were examined: white cell count, interleukin 6, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, malondialdehyde, activity of glutathione peroxidase in plasma and level of selenium in plasma and whole blood.
Results:
Patients with initially low level of selenium who received substitution of selenium reached normal ranges more quickly than patients without substitution. Originally partly elevated values of malondialdehyde as sign of increased peroxidation of lipids were normalized under substitution of selenium. Initially low activity of selenium level in plasma showed a clear increase under substitution of selenium as sign of increased protection of the cell membrane.
Conclusion:
The substitution of selenium in children with SIRS is a supportive therapy.