Enteral yeast–selenium supplementation in preterm infants
- aNational Institute of Rheumatology and Physiotherapy, Budapest, Hungary, bNutrition Laboratory, National Public Health Institute of Finland, Helsinki, Finland, c1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perinatal Intensive Centre, Semmelwies Medical School, Budapest, Hungary, dPerinatal Intensive Care, Schöpf-Mérei Ágost Hospital, Budapest, Hungary
- Dr Gábor Bogye, 1027 Budapest, Frankel Leó u. 7., Hungary.
- Accepted 26 November 1997
Abstract
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 μg selenium daily.
RESULTS In the supplemented group the serum selenium concentration increased from 36.1(±12.8) μg/l to 43.5 (7.9) μg/l and in the non-supplemented group it decreased from 34.4 (20.4) μg/l to 26.1 (16.6) μg/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.
