Selenium and glutathione peroxidase levels in healthy infants and children in Austria and the influence of nutrition regimens on these levels.
Serum selenium values were investigated in 56 formula-fed and in 18 wholly breast-fed infants. In 14 of these infants, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was also investigated. Determination of selenium and GSH-Px was also done in umbilical cord blood of seven healthy newborns. In another 109 infants aged 1-15 yr, serum selenium values were investigated. A continuous fall of serum selenium values was noted in the first 3 mo of life. Low levels continued until the age of 6 mo with a mean of 36% of the umbilical cord vein level. Breast-fed babies of GSH-Px showed a less pronounced fall in selenium and had significantly higher levels of GSH-Px. GSH-Px activity was reduced from age 5 to 8 mo. Feeding of beikost caused a rise in the level of selenium. Children in the age groups 1-15 yr still had a significantly lower serum selenium level than adults.
Rossipal
E
E
Department of Paediatrics, University of Graz, Austria.
Tiran
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001317:Austria; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008895:Milk, Human; D012016:Reference Values; D012643:Selenium / Q000097:blood*
D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D012643:Selenium