Enteral yeast-selenium supplementation in preterm infants

Aim-To study the bioavailability of selenium enriched yeast in preterm infants living in a low selenium area (Hungary). Methods-Thirty six preterm infants were randomly assigned to two groups at birth with respect to selenium supplementation. In the supplemented group (n=18) infants received 4.8 mg of selenium enriched yeast containing 5 mu g selenium daily. Results-In the supplemented group the serum selenium concentration increased from 36.1 (+/-12.8) mu g/l to 43.5 (7.9) mu g/l and in the non-supplemented group it decreased from 34.4 (20.4) mu g/l to 26.1 (16.6) mu g/l from birth in two weeks. No complications or side effects as a result of supplementation were observed. Conclusions-Selenium enriched yeast is a safe and an effective form of short term enteral selenium supplementation for preterm infants.