BACKGROUND: The studies on the impact of selenium levels (Se) in different pregnancy periods on child psychomotor functions are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of prenatal Se on child neurodevelopment.
METHODS: The study population consisted of 410 mother-child pairs from Polish Mother and Child Cohort. Se levels were measured in each trimester of pregnancy, at delivery and in cord blood by GFAAS. Psychomotor development was assessed in children at the age of 1 and 2 years using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development.
RESULTS: Plasma Se levels decreased through pregnancy (from 48.3±10.6 ug/l in the first trimester to 38.4±11.8 ug/l at delivery; p<0.05). A statistically significant positive association between Se levels in the first trimester of pregnancy and motor development (β=0.2, p=0.002) at one year of age, and language development (β=0.2, p=0.03) at two years of age was observed. The positive effect of Se levels on cognitive score at two years of age was of borderline significance (β=0.2, p=0.05).
CONCLUSION: Prenatal selenium status was associated with child psychomotor abilities within the first years of life. Further epidemiological and preclinical studies are needed to confirm the association and elucidate the underlying mechanisms of these effects.Pediatric Research (2016); doi:10.1038/pr.2016.32.