SELENIUM STATUS OF HEALTHY TURKISH CHILDREN

Selenium concentrations, in blood plasma, red blood cells, hair of 61 healthy children, ages 0-14 yr, were determined using hydride generati on atomic absorption spectrometry Starting from late lactation period, selenium concentrations in all these matrices were found to be increa sing with age. A good correlation was found between erythrocyte and pl asma, hair and plasma, and hair and erythrocyte selenium concentration s. Although plasma, erythrocyte, and hair selenium concentrations of g irls seemed to be higher than that of boys (only in erythrocytes), sel enium concentrations of girls were found to be significantly (p < 0.00 2) higher than that of boys, 71 +/- 9 ng/mL, vs 65 +/- 10 ng/mL, respe ctively. Selenium status of Turkish children is found to be lower than that found in the literature; marginal selenium deficiency could be i mportant in the development of some selenium deficiency related diseas es. There is a need for extension of this study to healthy children fr om different regions in Turkey and to different disease states.