Selenium Status in Sudanese Children With Protein-Calorie Malnutrition

In a study of 68 Sudanese children aged 1-4 years with severe protein-energy malnutrition, researchers investigated selenium status and compared it with healthy Sudanese and German children. The median plasma selenium levels in healthy Sudanese children (59 µg/L) and those with marasmus (57 µg/L) were similar but lower than in healthy German children (82 µg/L). Children with marasmic kwashiorkor had even lower levels (42 µg/L). Plasma glutathione peroxidase activity correlated with plasma selenium levels and was reduced in malnourished children. During rehabilitation, plasma selenium decreased in children who initially had "normal" levels, likely due to low selenium content in dietary formulas used. The study questioned whether low selenium status and intake posed a health risk that could hinder rehabilitation.