Effect of selenium-free parenteral nutrition on serum selenium of neonates and infants maintained on long-term parenteral nutrition

Abstract

Background: The risk of selenium deficiency increases for infants receiving long-term parenteral nutrition (PN). This study analyzed selenium deficiency in neonates and infants requiring long-term PN and evaluated the effect of intravenous (IV) selenium provision.

Methods: This study was a retrospective study of neonates and infants who were admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit from January 2010 to December 2019, received PN for ≥2 weeks, and had their serum selenium concentration measured. Patients were divided into two groups, depending on their serum selenium concentration, a deficient group (n = 55) and a nondeficient group (n = 47).

Results: Of the study participants, 53.9% (55 of 102) were deficient in selenium. No difference in demographic and clinical characteristics existed except bronchopulmonary dysplasia. A subgroup analysis was performed for patients (n = 29). The average dose of IV selenium administered to patients was 2.7 ± 1.0 mcg/kg/day. The average initial serum selenium concentration was 36.5 ± 18.0 mcg/L, and the serum concentration significantly increased to 52.5 ± 19.1 mcg/L after IV selenium administration (P < .001). The correlation between the average IV selenium dose and the change in serum selenium concentrations was statistically significant (r = .423; P = .022).

Conclusion: Selenium deficiency is common in neonates and infants receiving long-term PN. Serum selenium concentration increased proportionally as the IV selenium dose increased. Therefore, it is recommended to supply a proper dose of IV selenium depending on the degree of selenium deficiency.

Keywords: deficiency; intensive care units; neonatal (MeSH terms); parenteral nutrition; selenium.