Abstract
Van Rij reported proximal muscle weakness in a case of selenium (Se) deficiency in New Zealand in 1979. Since then cardiomyopathy, but not proximal muscle weakness, has been reported in the USA. A 33 y.o. white female was on home parenteral nutrition for 4½ years due to a duodenocecostomy secondary to a traumatic jejunoilectomy. During the first year she noted proximal muscle weakness which did not improve over the next 3½ years. She noted weakness with arm lifting and inability to rise from a squatting position. During a study of Se function, glutathione peroxidase levels were found to be profoundly low in plasma and blood cells.
Plasma Se level initially was 32.5 ng.ml (nl=60-120). After 3-4 weeks of treatment with Se (400 μg/d IV) as selenous acid, the patient's muscle strength testing markedly improved as the GSHPx activities in plasma, platelets, granulocytes, & mononuclear cells became normal. Red cell GSHPx activity approached normal levels much more slowly, and may not be a sensitive reflection of whole body selenium status.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Brown, M., Lyons, J., Curtis, T. et al. PROXIMAL MUSCLE WEAKNESS RESPONDING TO SELENIUM THERAPY: A CASE REPORT. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 191 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00588
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00588