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Enteral yeast-selenium supplementation in preterm infants
1National Institute of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy, Budapest, Hungary.
Insights
Selenium-enriched yeast effectively boosted selenium levels in preterm infants in Hungary. This supplementation proved safe and beneficial for infants in low-selenium regions.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Pediatric Medicine
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Low selenium levels pose risks to preterm infants.
- Hungary is identified as a low-selenium geographical area.
- Optimal selenium intake is crucial for infant development and health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the bioavailability of selenium-enriched yeast.
- To evaluate selenium supplementation in preterm infants in a low-selenium region.
- To determine the safety and efficacy of selenium-enriched yeast.
Main Methods:
- A randomized study involving 36 preterm infants.
- Infants were divided into supplemented and non-supplemented groups.
- Supplemented infants received 5 micrograms of selenium via yeast daily.
Main Results:
- Serum selenium concentrations increased significantly in the supplemented group.
- Serum selenium levels decreased in the non-supplemented group over two weeks.
- No adverse effects or complications were reported with selenium supplementation.
Conclusions:
- Selenium-enriched yeast is a safe and effective method for short-term enteral selenium supplementation.
- This approach is suitable for preterm infants, particularly in selenium-deficient areas.
- The study supports the use of selenium-enriched yeast to improve selenium status in vulnerable infant populations.
Aim:
To study the bioavailability of selenium enriched yeast in preterm infants living in a low selenium area (Hungary).
Methods:
Thirty six preterm infants were randomly assigned to two groups at birth with respect to selenium supplementation. In the supplemented group (n = 18) infants received 4.8 mg of selenium enriched yeast containing 5 micrograms selenium daily.
Results:
In the supplemented group the serum selenium concentration increased from 36.1 (+/- 12.8) micrograms/l to 43.5 (7.9) micrograms/l and in the non-supplemented group it decreased from 34.4 (20.4) micrograms/l to 26.1 (16.6) micrograms/l from birth in two weeks. No complications or side effects as a result of supplementation were observed.
Conclusions:
Selenium enriched yeast is a safe and an effective form of short term enteral selenium supplementation for preterm infants.