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Objective: We assessed the impact of selenium, a trace element with antioxidant properties on a simple measure of oxidative stress in pregnant women. Study design: A novel assay of prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) was applied in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of selenium supplementation in pregnancy. We measured the prooxidant burden and the antioxidant capacity simultaneously in one assay, thereby calculating a redox index. A total of 166 primigravid pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy, were randomized to receive 100 μg of selenium (n=83) or placebo (n=83) per day until delivery. PAB values and serum selenium concentrations were measured at baseline and at the end of study. Results: Pretreatment demographic data and biochemical indices including serum selenium concentrations did not differ significantly between the groups. The drop-out rates for the groups were 22/83 and 19/83 for the selenium and placebo groups, respectively. Supplementation with selenium was associated with a significant increase in mean serum selenium concentration (P<0.001) but without significant change in mean PAB value. In contrast, mean serum selenium concentration remained unchanged and mean PAB values increased significantly (P<0.05 in the control group). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that selenium supplementation may reduce oxidative stress associated with pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To compare the nutritional status of infertile women with non-pregnant fertile age-matched controls and to assess the periconceptional intake of nutritional supplements in pregnancy with an estimation of total micronutrient (diet and supplementary) intake. Design. An assessment of the nutritional status of infertile women and fertile, age-matched non-pregnant controls and a survey of the periconceptional intake of folic acid and other nutritional supplements. Materials and methods. Group 1: a 7-day weighed diet diary and blood tests for magnesium, mineral and pyridoxine status were used to assess the nutritional status of six infertile women and 12 non-pregnant, healthy, age-matched controls. Group 2: the periconceptional dietary intake of folic acid and other nutritional supplements was estimated in 87 pregnant women attending midwife clinics, 36 women attending an assisted conception clinic and 7 women attending a self help group for lesbian pregnancy. Results. In the group of six infertile subjects and 12 fertile controls, there was a non-significant trend for micronutrient intake in the controls to be higher than for the infertile subjects. Comparisons with the UK reference nutrient intake confirmed suboptimal nutrition in all subjects and some controls. Twenty-five per cent of controls and 33% of infertile subjects had subnormal serum selenium consistent with reduced antioxidant defence. There was also a non-significant trend for non-caeruloplasmin copper and cadmium to be higher in the infertile subjects. The combined mean dietary intake for all subjects and controls was similar to the values from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey. Therefore, an approximate value for the total intake of nutrients (diet and supplementation) of the 130 women in the larger survey was calculated using the mean dietary intake of the smaller group as an estimate of the dietary component. This analysis suggested suboptimal total intake for >50% of the subjects for selenium, zinc, magnesium and iodine and borderline total intake for >50% of subjects for vitamins B12, C and E, betacarotene, iron, folate + folic acid and essential fatty acids. Conclusions. Current levels of supplementation with folic acid and other nutrients are failing to compensate for poor mean dietary intake of these nutrients at the time of conception. These nutritional deficiencies are probably important contributory factors in infertility, spontaneous abortion, pregnancy complications and post-partum health problems in the mother and infant (including congenital malformations and postnatal depression). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Postpartum depression is a common complication of childbirth, and its prevention is an important public-health issue because of its negative effects on mother, infant, and family. The present randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to examine the effect of prenatal selenium supplementation on the postpartum depression level in Iranian women. Design. A total of 166 primigravid pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy, were randomized to receive 100 μg of selenium ( n = 83) or a placebo ( n = 83) per day until delivery. The symptoms of postpartum depression were evaluated during the eight weeks following delivery by means of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Serum selenium concentrations were measured at baseline and at the end of study. Results. There was no significant difference in demographic characteristics and perceived social support between the selenium and control groups at baseline ( p > 0.05). There were 22 drop-outs in the selenium-supplemented group and 19 in the placebo group. Forty-four women in the selenium group and 41 women in the placebo group completed the trial and the EPDS questionnaire. Selenium supplementation was associated with a significant increase in mean serum selenium concentration at term ( p < 0.001) but remained unchanged in the control group. The mean EPDS score in the selenium group was significantly lower than that of the control group ( p < 0.05). Conclusion. These findings suggest that supplementation with selenium during pregnancy might be an effective approach for the prevention of postpartum depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]