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The serum selenium concentrations in children and young adults: a long-term study during the Finnish selenium fertilization programme

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 52, pages 529–535 (1998)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of the Finnish nationwide selenium (Se) fertilization programme on the Se status of the population.

Design and subjects: Serum Se concentrations from 1985–1992 from 1568 healthy children and young adults in southwestern Finland were determined using direct electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.

Results: The mean concentration in young adults increased from 1.04 μmol/L in 1985 to 1.59 μmol/L in 1990. Children younger than 15 y had lower concentrations than adults, with an increase from 0.87 μmol/L in 1985 to 1.31 μmol/L in 1990. The younger the children, the lower the Se concentrations tended to be. At the age of about seven months no significant difference was noted between breast-fed and formula-fed infants. From 1991, when the amount of Se added to fertilizers was reduced and less foreign high-Se cereal was imported, the Se concentrations decreased in all age groups.

Conclusions: The nationwide Se supplementation programme has succeeded in elevating the Se intake and the serum Se concentrations in the Finnish population.

Sponsorship: Supported by the Juho Vainio Foundation and the Sigrid Juselius Foundation, Finland.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Chemistry, Turku University Central Hospital, Turku, FIN-20520, Finland

    W-C Wang & V Näntö

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Central Hospital, Turku, FIN-20520, Finland

    A-L Mäkelä

  3. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Turku University Central Hospital, Turku, FIN-20520, Finland

    P Mäkelä

  4. The Cardiorespiratory Research Unit, University of Turku, Turku, FIN-20520, Finland

    H Lagström

  5. The Joint Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory of the University of Turku, Turku University Central Hospital and Wallac Ltd., Turku, FIN-20520, Finland

    W-C Wang & V Näntö

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  1. W-C Wang
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  2. A-L Mäkelä
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  3. V Näntö
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Wang, WC., Mäkelä, AL., Näntö, V. et al. The serum selenium concentrations in children and young adults: a long-term study during the Finnish selenium fertilization programme. Eur J Clin Nutr 52, 529–535 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1600602

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1600602

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