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Selenium supplementation in pediatric patients using parenteral nutrition: Is it time to do something?

Suplementação de selênio nos pacientes pediátricos em uso de nutrição parenteral: é hora de fazer algo?

Summary

Objective:

To analyze the nutritional status of selenium and verify the effect of its supplementation in pediatric patients during 14 days of parenteral nutrition (PN).

Method:

This is a series of cases with patients followed for two weeks while using PN. Data collection was performed at the beginning (T0), in the 7th (T1) and 14th days of PN (T2). The supplemented group received 2 µg/kg/day of selenous acid. Weight and height were measured for nutritional status assessment. Tests requested: plasma selenium, albumin, pre-albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol.

Results:

Fourteen (14) patients with inflammatory process and with low or very low weight for their ages were evaluated. In both groups (with and without supplementation), all patients had low selenium levels. Median plasma selenium concentrations were 17.4 µg/L (T0), 23.0 µg/L (T1) and 20.7 µg/L (T2). Increase and reduction of selenium occurred both in patients with high CRP and in those presenting normalization of this parameter.

Conclusion:

Lower plasma selenium levels have been detected since the start of the research and supplementation (2 µg/kg/day of selenous acid) was not to enough to approach the reference values.

Keywords:
Selenium; C-reactive Protein; Supplementary Feeding; Parenteral Nutrition; Child

Resumo

Objetivo:

Analisar o estado nutricional relativo ao selênio e verificar o efeito da suplementação desse mineral em pacientes pediátricos durante 14 dias de nutrição parenteral (NP).

Método:

Trata-se de estudo prospectivo de uma série de casos de pacientes acompanhados durante duas semanas de uso de NP. A coleta de dados foi realizada no início (T0), no 7º (T1) e no 14º dia de NP (T2). Após randomização, o grupo suplementado recebeu 2 µg/kg/dia de ácido selenioso. Peso e altura foram aferidos para avaliação do estado nutricional. Exames coletados: selênio plasmático, albumina, pré-albumina, proteína C-reativa (PCR), colesterol total e HDL-colesterol.

Resultados:

Foram avaliados 14 pacientes com processo inflamatório em curso e com baixo ou muito baixo peso para a idade. Os pacientes (grupo suplementado e não suplementado) tinham baixas concentrações de selênio. A mediana dos valores de selênio plasmático foi de 17,4 µg/L (T0), 23,0 µg/L (T1) e 20,7 µg/L (T2). Aumento e redução de selênio ocorreram tanto nos pacientes com PCR elevada quanto naqueles que apresentaram normalização desse parâmetro.

Conclusão:

Os níveis de selênio detectados foram muito baixos e a suplementação (2 µg/kg/dia de ácido selenioso) não foi suficiente para normalização dos níveis plasmáticos.

Palavras-chave:
Selênio; Proteína C-reativa; Suplementação Alimentar; Nutrição Parenteral; Criança

Introduction

The essentiality of selenium to human health and the benefit this mineral adds to nutritional therapy from the first days following birth has been reported in recent decades.11. Darlow BA, Austin NC. Selenium supplementation to prevent short-term morbidity in preterm neonates. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;(4):CD003312.,22. Freitas RG, Nogueira RJ, Antonio MA, Barros-Filho AA, Hessel G. Selenium deficiency and the effects of supplementation on preterm infants. Rev Paul Pediatr. 2014;32(1):126-35. In fact, selenium deficiency is associated with cardiomyopathy, prematurity, and clinical and nutritional changes.11. Darlow BA, Austin NC. Selenium supplementation to prevent short-term morbidity in preterm neonates. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;(4):CD003312.

2. Freitas RG, Nogueira RJ, Antonio MA, Barros-Filho AA, Hessel G. Selenium deficiency and the effects of supplementation on preterm infants. Rev Paul Pediatr. 2014;32(1):126-35.

3. Groh-Wargo S, Thompson M, Cox JH. Nutritional care for high-risk newborns. 3rd ed. Chicago: Precept Press; 2000.
-44. Masumoto K, Nagata K, Higashi M, Nakatsuji T, Uesugi T, Takahashi Y, et al. Clinical features of selenium deficiency in infants receiving long-term nutritional support. Nutrition. 2007;23(11-12):782-7.

Considering that patients with inflammation have an exacerbated oxidative process and that selenium is an important component of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), an antioxidant enzyme, it has been assumed that these patients must present an increased need for selenium.11. Darlow BA, Austin NC. Selenium supplementation to prevent short-term morbidity in preterm neonates. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;(4):CD003312.,44. Masumoto K, Nagata K, Higashi M, Nakatsuji T, Uesugi T, Takahashi Y, et al. Clinical features of selenium deficiency in infants receiving long-term nutritional support. Nutrition. 2007;23(11-12):782-7.

Some studies have revealed selenium deficiency in patients using parenteral nutrition (PN), who had not been supplemented with selenium for an extended period of time.33. Groh-Wargo S, Thompson M, Cox JH. Nutritional care for high-risk newborns. 3rd ed. Chicago: Precept Press; 2000.,44. Masumoto K, Nagata K, Higashi M, Nakatsuji T, Uesugi T, Takahashi Y, et al. Clinical features of selenium deficiency in infants receiving long-term nutritional support. Nutrition. 2007;23(11-12):782-7. As such, it has been stated that supplementation should be indicated when PN is used for a period lasting longer than four weeks33. Groh-Wargo S, Thompson M, Cox JH. Nutritional care for high-risk newborns. 3rd ed. Chicago: Precept Press; 2000. or after two weeks of PN when this is the main source of nutrition.55. Slicker J, Vermilyea S. Pediatric parenteral nutrition: putting the microscope on macronutrients and micronutrients. Nutr Clin Pract. 2009;24(4):481-6. Since 2012, the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) recommends the addition of 2 µg/kg/day of selenium in all pediatric PN formulas from the start of PN.66. Vanek VW, Borum P, Buchman A, Fessler TA, Howard L, Jeejeebhoy K, et al; Novel Nutrient Task Force, Parenteral Multi-Vitamin and Multi-Trace Element Working Group; American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) Board of Directors. A.S.P.E.N. position paper: recommendations for changes in commercially available parenteral multivitamin and multi-trace element products. Nutr Clin Pract. 2012;27(4):440-91.,77. Finch CW. Review of trace mineral requirements for preterm infants: what are the current recommendations for clinical practice? Nutr Clin Pract. 2015;30(1):44-58.

Selenium supplementation seems to contribute to a reduction in mechanical ventilation time, improved weight gain, decreased risk of sepsis and the prevention of cardiomyopathy.11. Darlow BA, Austin NC. Selenium supplementation to prevent short-term morbidity in preterm neonates. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;(4):CD003312.,22. Freitas RG, Nogueira RJ, Antonio MA, Barros-Filho AA, Hessel G. Selenium deficiency and the effects of supplementation on preterm infants. Rev Paul Pediatr. 2014;32(1):126-35.,44. Masumoto K, Nagata K, Higashi M, Nakatsuji T, Uesugi T, Takahashi Y, et al. Clinical features of selenium deficiency in infants receiving long-term nutritional support. Nutrition. 2007;23(11-12):782-7.,88. Davis C, Javid PJ, Horslen S. Selenium deficiency in pediatric patients with intestinal failure as a consequence of drug shortage. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2014;38(1):115-8. However, this is not a commonly used practice, unlike other trace elements such as zinc, copper, chromium and manganese.

In several countries, including Brazil, PN formulas and trace element solutions do not contain selenium. The current alternative to supplementation is to add it separately. However, the beginning of supplementation, supplementation time, the selenium compound offered and the amount of selenium that should be offered are still under discussion in the literature.11. Darlow BA, Austin NC. Selenium supplementation to prevent short-term morbidity in preterm neonates. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;(4):CD003312.,44. Masumoto K, Nagata K, Higashi M, Nakatsuji T, Uesugi T, Takahashi Y, et al. Clinical features of selenium deficiency in infants receiving long-term nutritional support. Nutrition. 2007;23(11-12):782-7. Thus, the objective of our study was to analyze the nutritional status related to selenium and to verify the effect of supplementation with this mineral in pediatric patients during 14 days of PN.

Method

Study characteristics

This is a prospective study of a case series of patients monitored during two weeks of use of PN. The inclusion criteria were: pediatric patients (aged 0 to 18 years); use of PN as the main source of nutrition (> 80% of nutritional needs); hospitalization at the Hospital de Clínicas da Unicamp; absence of kidney failure due to the risk of intoxication and signing of an Informed Consent Form by the person responsible for the patient.

Data collection was performed at the beginning (T0) and on the 7th (T1) and 14th day of PN (T2). This study was approved by the Ethics and Research Committee of the Unicamp Medical School (No. 538/2011).

Indication and prescription of PN

Parenteral nutrition was monitored by the Multiprofessional Nutritional Therapy Team (EMTN), composed by a nutritionist, nurse, pharmacist and two pediatric physicians that were specialists in PN and enteral nutrition (EN). The prescription of individualized PN was performed by the EMTN physician in accordance with the recommendations of ASPEN99. Corkins MR, Shulman RJ, Bechard LJ. Pediatric nutrition in your pocket. Silver Spring: ASPEN; 2002. p.326-37. and the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN).1010. Koletzko B, Goulet O, Hunt J, Krohn K, Shamir R; Parenteral Nutrition Guidelines Working Group; European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism; European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN); European Society of Paediatric Research (ESPR). Guidelines on Paediatric Parenteral Nutrition of the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) and the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN), Supported by the European Society of Paediatric Research (ESPR). J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2005;41(Suppl 2):S1-87. When there were laboratory abnormalities, such as mineral disturbances, it was necessary to re-individualize them in accordance with the permitted pharmacotechnical limits. The pharmacochemical guidelines were followed and attested by the EMTN pharmacist, and the compounding company that makes the solutions, according to the MS/SUS Ordinance No. 272 of April 8, 1998.1111. Brasil, Ministério da Saúde. Diretoria Colegiada da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária. Portaria MS/SUS nº 272, de 8 de abril de 1998. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2013. Available from: http://portal.anvisa.gov.br/wps/wcm/connect/d5fa69004745761c8411d43fbc4c6735/PORTARIA_272_1988.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
http://portal.anvisa.gov.br/wps/wcm/conn...
After randomization, the supplemented group received 2 µg/kg/day of selenous acid via PN, according to the ASPEN recommendation.66. Vanek VW, Borum P, Buchman A, Fessler TA, Howard L, Jeejeebhoy K, et al; Novel Nutrient Task Force, Parenteral Multi-Vitamin and Multi-Trace Element Working Group; American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) Board of Directors. A.S.P.E.N. position paper: recommendations for changes in commercially available parenteral multivitamin and multi-trace element products. Nutr Clin Pract. 2012;27(4):440-91.

Nutritional status assessment

Anthropometry was performed based on weight and height measurements according to the World Health Organization (WHO)1212. WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study Group. Breastfeeding in the WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study. Acta Paediatr Suppl. 2006;450:16-26. and Lohman et al.1313. Lohman TG, Roche AF, Martorell R. Anthropometric standardization reference manual. Champaign: Human Kinetics Books; 1988. The equipment used in the measurement were a stadiometer (with 0.1 cm precision) and Filizola® electronic digital scales (capacity from 2.5 kg to 150 kg), as well as Toledo® electronic scales (capacity from 0.1 kg to 15 kg). With the data collected in the anthropometric assessment, the nutritional status was classified in accordance with that proposed by the WHO:1212. WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study Group. Breastfeeding in the WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study. Acta Paediatr Suppl. 2006;450:16-26.,1414. Onis M, Onyango AW, Borghi E, Siyam A, Nishida C, Siekmann J. Development of a WHO growth reference for school-aged children and adolescents. Bull World Heath Organ. 2007;85(9):660-7.

  • Weight/age: very low weight for age (z score < -3); low weight for age (z score between -3 and -2); suitable weight for age (z score ≥ -2 and ≤ +2); high weight for age (z score > +2).

  • BMI/age (patients over 10 years of age): accentuated thinness (z score < -3); thinness (z score between -3 and -2); eutrophy (z score ≥ -2 and ≤ +1); overweight (z score between +1 and +2); obesity (z score between +2 and +3); severe obesity (z score > +3). BMI/age was not used in patients less than 10 years of age due to the difficulty in measuring height, especially in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Selenium status evaluation

For the determination of plasma selenium levels, 1 mL of blood was collected in dry tubes (free of trace elements) then centrifuged for plasma separation and stored at -20ºC. The plasma samples were digested (via an acid) in Pyrex glass tubes containing 5 mL of nitric acid 68% P.A (Merk) and allowed to rest overnight. Subsequently, a digester block with an initial temperature of 50ºC was used for the digestion, gradually increasing to 150ºC (the maximum) for elimination of organic substances and reduction of selenium to IV selenium. Subsequently, 5 mL of 1.2 N HCL were added to the samples which were heated at 100ºC for two hours. The solutions were then diluted to 25 mL with deionized water and submitted to selenium reading.1414. Onis M, Onyango AW, Borghi E, Siyam A, Nishida C, Siekmann J. Development of a WHO growth reference for school-aged children and adolescents. Bull World Heath Organ. 2007;85(9):660-7.

15. Hao DQ, Xie GH, Zhang YM, Tian GJ. Determination of serum selenium by hydride generation flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Talanta. 1996;43(4):595-600.

16. Gonzaga IB. Avaliação nutricional relativo ao selênio em crianças com dieta enriquecida de castanha do Brasil (Bertholletia excelsa, L.) [Tese de Doutorado]. São Paulo: Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas; 2002.

17. Diaz Romero C, López Blanco F, Henríquez Sánches P, Rodrígues E, Serra Majem L. Serum selenium concentration in a representative sample of the Canarian population. Sci Total Environ. 2001;269(1-3):65-73.
-1818. Thomson CD. Assessment of requirements for selenium and adequacy of selenium status: a review. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2004;58(3):391-402. The method used in the reading was hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry coupled to the quartz cell (HGQTAAS) (model Z5000, Hitachi, Tokyo, Japan) at the Laboratory of Nutrition – Minerals at the Pharmaceutical Sciences School of the University of São Paulo (USP). All materials used during the analysis and dosage of selenium were demineralized with a 30% nitric acid bath for at least 12 hours and rinsed 10 times consecutively with deionized water. As there are no reference values for the Brazilian pediatric population, we considered values ≥ 40 µg/L as normal. These values are within the normal range described in several studies with the same population.44. Masumoto K, Nagata K, Higashi M, Nakatsuji T, Uesugi T, Takahashi Y, et al. Clinical features of selenium deficiency in infants receiving long-term nutritional support. Nutrition. 2007;23(11-12):782-7.,77. Finch CW. Review of trace mineral requirements for preterm infants: what are the current recommendations for clinical practice? Nutr Clin Pract. 2015;30(1):44-58.,1919. Iyengar V, Woittiez J. Trace elements in human clinical specimens: evaluation of literature data to identify reference values. Clin Chem. 1988;34(3):474-81.

20. Etani Y, Nishimoto Y, Kawamotom K, Yamada H, Shouji Y, Kawahara H, et al. Selenium deficiency in children and adolescents nourished by parenteral nutrition and/or selenium deficient enteral formula. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2014;28(4):409-13.
-2121. Leite HP, Nogueira PC, Iglesias SB, Oliveira SV, Sarni RO. Increased plasma selenium is associated with better outcomes in children with systemic inflammation. Nutrition. 2015;31(3):485-90.

Laboratory assessment of the clinical picture

The other laboratory tests used in the research were those routinely used to accompany the patient in PN. Dosage and blood collection were performed by the Clinical Pathology Laboratory team of the Hospital de Clínicas. The exams computed, the method used and the values of normality are shown in Table 1.

Table 1
Dosage method and values of normality used by the Laboratory of Clinical Pathology of the Hospital de Clínicas da Unicamp.

Statistical analysis

The statistical treatment of the collected data was performed with the help of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences® software version 17 (SPSS). An exploratory analysis was performed using summary measures (median, mean, standard deviation, minimum, maximum and frequency).

Results

The sample consisted of 14 pediatric patients undergoing PN that were hospitalized, mainly in the pediatric ICU, with an ongoing inflammatory process (evidenced by high C-reactive protein – CRP) and low or very low weight for age (Table 2).

Table 2
Description of patients according to age, place of hospitalization, outcome, nutritional status, main diagnosis and PN indication.

Low plasma selenium concentrations were observed in all patients throughout the study, including patients who showed improvement in CRP and pre-albumin levels on day 14 (Table 3).

Table 3
Evolution of the biochemical tests in the three points of evaluation.

Table 4 shows that no patient had selenium levels within the reference range (n = 7/7) and CRP was high in only three cases after 14 days of evaluation.

Table 4
Evolution of plasma selenium and C-reactive protein concentration of each patient over the three evaluation points.

Supplemented group

Among the four supplemented patients (numbers 11, 12, 13 and 14), all were male, two were hospitalized in the pediatric ICU and one died. Patient number 11, who died, started PN with selenium plasma levels below the reference range and which progressively decreased throughout the three assessment times. Albumin was low, and pre-albumin, which was initially normal, decreased. CRP fell in the third assessment but was still above the reference values. This patient was diagnosed with primary immunodeficiency and inflammatory disease.

Among the other three supplemented patients (numbers 12, 13 and 14), none reached normal levels. Patient number 14, who reached the closest levels (34.9 µg/L) of the reference, had normal albumin and pre-albumin, which started low and became normalized after the second dose. CRP concentrations started high but decreased and reached the reference range. Furthermore, the patient had an adequate weight.

Non-supplemented group

Among the ten non-supplemented patients, it was not possible to perform the second and third blood levels measurements in three cases (numbers 1, 3 and 6). Among these, all had low selenium concentrations and, above all, the values were lower for those who died (number 1 and 3). Meanwhile, patient number 6, who was discharged, had plasma selenium of 34.4 µg/L (close to normal) and CRP of 2.25 mg/dL.

Regarding the other seven non-supplemented patients, death occurred in three cases (numbers 5, 7 and 10). Among these, it was verified that patient number 10, with the most critical selenium levels (6.3 µg/L), had adequate CRP (0.18 mg/dL).

In general, after 14 days of assessment, selenium levels did not reach the reference values (patients 2, 4, 8, 9 and 10) and CRP was high in two cases (numbers 4 and 9).

Discussion

The sample consisted mainly of patients hospitalized in the pediatric ICU with an ongoing inflammatory process (evidenced by high CRP and low high density lipoprotein [HDL], pre-albumin and albumin values) and low or very low weight for age. All of the patients evaluated had plasma selenium levels below the reference values throughout the study. Among those patients receiving supplementation (2 µg/kg/day of selenium as selenous acid), it was found that this was insufficient for the normalization of plasma levels over 14 days.

In clinical practice, plasma selenium appears to be the best marker of the nutritional status of individuals in relation to selenium.77. Finch CW. Review of trace mineral requirements for preterm infants: what are the current recommendations for clinical practice? Nutr Clin Pract. 2015;30(1):44-58. Unlike erythrocyte selenium, plasma selenium reflects the current nutritional status in relation to the mineral2222. Thomson CD, Robinson MF. Selenium in human health and disease with emphasis on those aspects peculiar to New Zealand. Am J Clin Nutr. 1980;33(2):303-23. and is the most commonly used marker in general.77. Finch CW. Review of trace mineral requirements for preterm infants: what are the current recommendations for clinical practice? Nutr Clin Pract. 2015;30(1):44-58. However, for adequate interpretation of the plasma parameters related to selenium, the dosage of CRP and HDL-cholesterol is required. After all, elevation of CRP (acute phase protein) and reduction of HDL is what characterizes the inflammatory process,2323. Duncan A, Talwar D, McMillan DC, Stefanowicz F, O'Reilly DS. Quantitative data on the magnitude of the systemic inflammatory response and its effect on micronutrient status based on plasma measurements. Am J Clin Nutr. 2012;95(1):64-71.

24. Wendel M, Paul R, Heller AR. Lipoproteins in inflammation and sepsis. II. Clinical aspects. Intensive Care Med. 2007;33(1):25-35.
-2525. Iglesias SB, Leite HP, Paes AT, Oliveira SV, Sarni RO. Low plasma selenium concentrations in critically ill children: the interaction effect between inflammation and selenium deficiency. Crit Care. 2014;18(3):R101. and this may contribute to the reduction of plasma selenium values.

In the present study, plasma selenium concentrations were low from the onset of PN and did not reach normal levels over the 14-day follow-up regardless of the CRP and/or supplementation values. This may have occurred due to the supplementation time and/or selenium dosage offered.

In the supplemented group, one patient attained selenium concentrations closer to normal levels after supplementation. In this patient, it is possible that the increase occurred due to the reduction of inflammation (evidenced by the fall in CRP). However, it is also plausible that selenium and CRP values also improved due to the effect of supplementation, since selenium has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions.2626. Manzanares W, Langlois PL, Heyland DK. Pharmaconutrition with selenium in critically ill patients: what do we know? Nutr Clin Pract. 2015;30(1):34-43.

In an investigation by Leite et al.2121. Leite HP, Nogueira PC, Iglesias SB, Oliveira SV, Sarni RO. Increased plasma selenium is associated with better outcomes in children with systemic inflammation. Nutrition. 2015;31(3):485-90. including infants and children with systemic inflammatory response syndrome, 90.9% of the patients were found to have selenium concentrations below the reference (the mean selenium plasma concentration was 23.4 µg/L). However, even during the acute phase of the inflammatory process, reduced ventilation and ICU length of stay were associated with increased selenium levels, indicating that supplementation may be beneficial in this population.

There is variation between the studies in relation to the supplementation time. In a study by Masumoto et al.,44. Masumoto K, Nagata K, Higashi M, Nakatsuji T, Uesugi T, Takahashi Y, et al. Clinical features of selenium deficiency in infants receiving long-term nutritional support. Nutrition. 2007;23(11-12):782-7. the four surgical patients (use of nutritional support without selenium) who developed a deficiency showed clinical and laboratory improvement after supplementation for more than two months. In a study by Etani et al.2020. Etani Y, Nishimoto Y, Kawamotom K, Yamada H, Shouji Y, Kawahara H, et al. Selenium deficiency in children and adolescents nourished by parenteral nutrition and/or selenium deficient enteral formula. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2014;28(4):409-13. with 95 patients aged from 7 months to 20 years with intestinal dysfunction and/or neurological disorders (use of PN and/or EN with little or no selenium), it was found that 28/95 patients presented selenium concentrations below 40 µg/L and clinical manifestations associated with low selenium levels. Among the 28 patients, five presented concentrations below 20 µg/L of selenium, as in our study. After a year of supplementation, the five patients showed improvement in the clinical manifestations.

Regarding the amount of selenium that should be offered, studies suggest selenium supplementation of over 2 µg/kg/day.44. Masumoto K, Nagata K, Higashi M, Nakatsuji T, Uesugi T, Takahashi Y, et al. Clinical features of selenium deficiency in infants receiving long-term nutritional support. Nutrition. 2007;23(11-12):782-7.,77. Finch CW. Review of trace mineral requirements for preterm infants: what are the current recommendations for clinical practice? Nutr Clin Pract. 2015;30(1):44-58. According to the Australasian Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, selenium requirements in PN can increase, even in the short term (< 20 days) because the current illness or surgical procedure intensifies the metabolic and antioxidant needs.2727. Australasian Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. Auspen Guidelines for intravenous trace elements and vitamins. Parkville: Australasian Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition; 1999. Available from: http://www.auspen.org.au/assets/Uploads/Documents/guidelines-2/AuSPEN-Micronutrients Guidelines.pdf,2828. Osland EJ, Ali A, Isenring E, Ball P, Davis M, Gillanders L. Australasian Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition guidelines for supplementation of trace elements during parenteral nutrition. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2014;23(4):545-54. For adult patients, the ASPEN66. Vanek VW, Borum P, Buchman A, Fessler TA, Howard L, Jeejeebhoy K, et al; Novel Nutrient Task Force, Parenteral Multi-Vitamin and Multi-Trace Element Working Group; American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) Board of Directors. A.S.P.E.N. position paper: recommendations for changes in commercially available parenteral multivitamin and multi-trace element products. Nutr Clin Pract. 2012;27(4):440-91. recommends 60-100 µg/day of selenium and mentions that, in cases of inflammatory process, the supply should be close to the upper or surplus limit without exceeding 400 µg/day. However, this observation regarding the inflammatory process was not made for the pediatric population.

In addition to the inflammatory process and metabolic stress, age can also be a risk factor for selenium deficiency. The most susceptible to deficiency are infants, as they store less selenium and therefore have a lower stock than children and adults.2929. Litov RE, Combs Jr GF. Selenium in pediatric nutrition. Pediatrics. 1991;87(3):339-51.

In relation to nutritional status, the assessment with laboratory tests was complex given that albumin and pre-albumin undergo changes due to the inflammatory process.3030. Cartwright MM. The metabolic response to stress: a case of complex nutrition support management. Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am. 2004;16(4):467-87. However, according to the anthropometric assessment, the majority of patients were evaluated as having severe malnutrition, another factor that can influence the body’s demand and nutrient reserves, and harm a patient’s prognosis.

In fact, the selenium values detected in our study were similar to or lower than those observed in other studies, which associated low levels of selenium with diseases and serious clinical complications.44. Masumoto K, Nagata K, Higashi M, Nakatsuji T, Uesugi T, Takahashi Y, et al. Clinical features of selenium deficiency in infants receiving long-term nutritional support. Nutrition. 2007;23(11-12):782-7.,1818. Thomson CD. Assessment of requirements for selenium and adequacy of selenium status: a review. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2004;58(3):391-402.

19. Iyengar V, Woittiez J. Trace elements in human clinical specimens: evaluation of literature data to identify reference values. Clin Chem. 1988;34(3):474-81.

20. Etani Y, Nishimoto Y, Kawamotom K, Yamada H, Shouji Y, Kawahara H, et al. Selenium deficiency in children and adolescents nourished by parenteral nutrition and/or selenium deficient enteral formula. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2014;28(4):409-13.
-2121. Leite HP, Nogueira PC, Iglesias SB, Oliveira SV, Sarni RO. Increased plasma selenium is associated with better outcomes in children with systemic inflammation. Nutrition. 2015;31(3):485-90. Therefore, laboratory monitoring of plasma selenium may contribute to the prevention of a number of future complications with the use of supplementation from the start of PN in patients undergoing the inflammatory process.

Limitations of the study

The number of patients reported was lower than desired due to death or withdrawal from PN before the 14th day of monitoring. Furthermore, the diversity of diseases, clinical complications and age range of the patients characterized a heterogeneous and complex sample. However, heterogeneity is a feature commonly found in intensive care – which was the hospitalization setting of most of the patients studied. The indication of selenium supplementation for pediatric patients does not vary according to the underlying disease, age and intensity of inflammation.

Conclusion

Plasma selenium levels were very low and supplementation with 2 µg/kg/day of selenous acid was not sufficient for the normalization of these levels. We therefore emphasize the importance of monitoring selenium status and supplementation from the onset of PN in patients undergoing the inflammatory process. However, it should be noted that more studies are needed in order to establish the amount of selenium supplied and the appropriate time of intervention.

  • Study conducted at Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Unicamp), Campinas, SP, Brazil

References

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    Darlow BA, Austin NC. Selenium supplementation to prevent short-term morbidity in preterm neonates. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003;(4):CD003312.
  • 2
    Freitas RG, Nogueira RJ, Antonio MA, Barros-Filho AA, Hessel G. Selenium deficiency and the effects of supplementation on preterm infants. Rev Paul Pediatr. 2014;32(1):126-35.
  • 3
    Groh-Wargo S, Thompson M, Cox JH. Nutritional care for high-risk newborns. 3rd ed. Chicago: Precept Press; 2000.
  • 4
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  • 5
    Slicker J, Vermilyea S. Pediatric parenteral nutrition: putting the microscope on macronutrients and micronutrients. Nutr Clin Pract. 2009;24(4):481-6.
  • 6
    Vanek VW, Borum P, Buchman A, Fessler TA, Howard L, Jeejeebhoy K, et al; Novel Nutrient Task Force, Parenteral Multi-Vitamin and Multi-Trace Element Working Group; American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) Board of Directors. A.S.P.E.N. position paper: recommendations for changes in commercially available parenteral multivitamin and multi-trace element products. Nutr Clin Pract. 2012;27(4):440-91.
  • 7
    Finch CW. Review of trace mineral requirements for preterm infants: what are the current recommendations for clinical practice? Nutr Clin Pract. 2015;30(1):44-58.
  • 8
    Davis C, Javid PJ, Horslen S. Selenium deficiency in pediatric patients with intestinal failure as a consequence of drug shortage. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2014;38(1):115-8.
  • 9
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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Mar 2018

History

  • Received
    10 May 2017
  • Accepted
    26 June 2017
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