Macrocytosis and Pseudoalbinism: Manifestations of Selenium Deficiency
November 1987
in “
The Journal of Pediatrics
”
Studysummary This study reports that selenium deficiency in children on long-term total parenteral nutrition may lead to symptoms like erythrocyte macrocytosis and skin and hair depigmentation, which improved with selenium supplementation. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
The study observed four children on long-term total parenteral nutrition (TPN) who exhibited symptoms of selenium deficiency, including erythrocyte macrocytosis, loss of pigmentation in hair and skin, elevated transaminase and creatine kinase activities, and muscle weakness. Initial selenium levels were low, but after intravenous selenium supplementation at 2 μg/kg/day, serum selenium levels increased significantly, and symptoms improved. Erythrocyte macrocytosis decreased, skin and hair pigmentation returned, and muscle weakness improved. The study concluded that selenium deficiency could cause these symptoms and recommended routine selenium supplementation in TPN to prevent such deficiencies.
