Back to Search
Start Over
Selenium Supplementation for Prevention of Late-Onset Sepsis in Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Neonates.
- Source :
- Journal of Tropical Pediatrics; Jun2016, Vol. 62 Issue 3, p185-193, 9p
- Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- <bold>Background: </bold>Neonatal mortality continues to be a significant problem in the Indian setting, especially in very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates. Selenium (Se) has been shown to possess antioxidant properties, and some recent studies have shown a reduction in the sepsis-attributable neonatal mortality with its use. India is a Se-deficient country. Blood Se concentrations in newborns are lower than those of their mothers and lower still in preterm infants.<bold>Objective: </bold>To evaluate the efficacy of Se in preventing the first episode of late-onset sepsis in VLBW preterm neonates.<bold>Methods: </bold>Ninety neonates weighing <1500 g and period of gestation <32 weeks, asymptomatic at birth and admitted to the neonatal intensive-care unit (NICU) in the first 12 h of birth with no maternal risk factors for sepsis were analyzed in the study. Se or placebo was supplemented orally once daily from 1st to 28th day of life to the test (n = 45) or control (n = 45) groups, respectively, followed by daily clinical assessment for signs or symptoms of sepsis in the hospital and weekly after discharge.<bold>Results: </bold>Preterm VLBW neonates (mean birth weight 1464.22 ± 50.14 g and mean gestational age 221.75 ± 4 days) are Se deficient at birth, with mean (SD) Se levels 31.1 ± 14.8 µg/l. Se supplementation at 10 µg/day increased serum Se levels significantly (63.9 ± 13.9 µg/l on Day 28 in Se vs. 40.9 ± 17.3 on Day 28 in placebo; p < 0.01). The incidence of the first episode of culture-proven late-onset sepsis was significantly lower in the Se than in the placebo group. [0/45 (0%) in Se vs. 6/45 (13.3%) in placebo; p = 0.033]. The incidence of probable sepsis was found to be significantly lower in the Se group [7/45 (15.55%)] than in the placebo [16/45 (35.55%)]; p = 0.02. The total incidence of any late-onset sepsis (i.e. culture-proven plus probable sepsis) was also significantly reduced by Se supplementation. [7/45 (15.55%) in Se vs. 22/45 (48.88%) in placebo; p = 0.001].<bold>Conclusion: </bold>Preterm VLBW neonates are Se deficient at birth. Se supplementation at 10 µg/day resulted in getting the Se levels into the acceptable normal level and reduced the incidence of the first episode of late-onset sepsis in these neonates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- SELENIUM supplements
SEPSIS
LOW birth weight
NEWBORN infants
SELENIUM
SEPTICEMIA prevention
PREMATURE infant disease prevention
AGE factors in disease
ANTIOXIDANTS
BACTERIAL diseases
COMPARATIVE studies
DIETARY supplements
DOSE-effect relationship in pharmacology
GESTATIONAL age
PREMATURE infants
INFANT mortality
RESEARCH methodology
MEDICAL cooperation
NEONATAL intensive care
RESEARCH
EVALUATION research
NEONATAL intensive care units
RANDOMIZED controlled trials
TREATMENT effectiveness
DISEASE incidence
BLIND experiment
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 01426338
- Volume :
- 62
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Tropical Pediatrics
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 116322615
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1093/tropej/fmv096