SERUM SELENIUM LEVELS OF CHILDREN LIVING IN ADANA, TURKEY

This study describes the measurement of selenium concentrations in ser um from children aged 7 - 8 and 11 - 12 years who lived in Adana, Turk ey. Serum selenium was measured by electrothermal atomization atomic a bsorption spectrometry (ETAAS) using Ni as the chemical modifier. Cali bration was achieved by standard additions, A program for analytical q uality assurance was undertaken. The serum selenium concentrations of 100 children aged 7 - 8 and 11 - 12 years were, mean +/- SD (range), 0 .73 +/- 0.11 mu mol/l (0.56 - 0.89 mu mol/l), and 0.92 +/- 0.10 mu mol /l (0.70 - 1.13 mu mol/l), respectively. Distribution of serum seleniu m levels according to sex did not differ significantly. The size of ou r study group is sufficiently large to describe the selenium status of children in Adana, Turkey. The results obtained indicate that no acti ve intervention to regulate selenium status is necessary.