Serum selenium concentrations in cirrhotic children.
OBJECTIVE
Selenium is an essential trace element for humans. Plasma selenium concentration is decreased in adults with cirrhosis. We aimed to investigate the serum selenium concentration in cirrhotic children.


METHODS
The serum selenium concentration of 38 patients was determined by spectrofluorometric method. The results of the patients were compared with those of 41 age- and gender-matched healthy children. Correlations between the liver function tests, Child classes and serum selenium concentrations in cirrhotic children were also investigated.


RESULTS
The mean serum selenium concentration in cirrhotic children was significantly lower than that of controls (42.4 ± 8.2 μg/L vs 64.4 ± 16.9 μg/L, p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the serum selenium concentrations of cirrhotic children who were in Child-Pugh class A versus B+C (p>0.05). Except for serum aspartate aminotransferase level (Pearson coefficient = -0.34), there was no correlation between serum selenium concentration and liver function tests in cirrhotic children.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum selenium concentration in cirrhotic children was found to be low; supportive selenium administration may be beneficial in cirrhotic children in appropriate cases.
Uslu
Nuray
N
Department of Pediatrics, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Hacettepe University, School of Medicine, Ankara. nurayu74@yahoo.com
Saltik-Temızel
Inci Nur
IN
Demır
Hülya
H
Gürakan
Figen
F
Ozen
Hasan
H
Yüce
Aysel
A
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D012643:Selenium / Q000097:blood*
D012643:Selenium