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 micrograms selenium daily. RESULTS In the supplemented group the serum selenium concentration increased from 36.1 (+/- 12.8) micrograms/l to 43.5 (7.9) micrograms/l and in the non-supplemented group it decreased from 34.4 (20.4) micrograms/l to 26.1 (16.6) micrograms/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.