title: The investigation of effects of blood exchange transfusion on selenium in newborn infants by instrumental neutron activation analysis method.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The evidence for the effects of blood exchange transfusion on selenium (Se) in newborn infants is unknown. This study was conducted to determine the possible effects of blood exchange transfusion on Se by comparing the Se blood concentrations before and after exchange transfusion in jaundiced neonates.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 30 jaundiced term neonates who underwent blood exchange transfusion (EXT) for first time because of idiopathic unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, were recruited. The Se level of 30 blood bank donors' samples used for EXT were measured and 30 pairs of uncontaminated umbilical cord blood samples were investigated for Se before and after exchange transfusion. The samples were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis method. Serum bilirubin concentrations were measured by venous blood samples before EXT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average of Se concentration before EXT was higher than that after EXT (629.78±283.82 SD ppb versus 454.83±213.75 SD ppb) (P<0.05). There was significant correlation between the blood concentration of Se before and after EXT and also between the blood level of Se before EXT and total serum bilirubin level (P<0.05). There was no significant correlation between the blood concentration of Se before EXT and babies' gender and weight (P>0.05). The average Se level in samples obtained from transfused blood products was 507.90±223.56 SD ppb.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Blood exchange transfusion caused a 28% decrease of the blood Se level because the blood donors had lower blood Se levels than the newborns. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between the blood level of Se before EXT and the total serum bilirubin level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyedeh-Fatemeh
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Khatami
authors.forename: Pouya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Parvaresh
authors.forename: Parviz
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Parvaresh
authors.forename: Morteza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gharib
keywords: Exchange transfusion; Neutron activation analysis; Newborn; Selenium; Trace elements