POSTMORTEM SERUM SELENIUM CONCENTRATIONS AND THEIR POSSIBLE ETIOLOGICROLE IN SUDDEN INFANT DEATH (SID)

The importance of selenium (Se) deficiency in the pathogenesis of huma n diseases such as Keshan Disease has been extensively studied. It is possible that low Se-levels could cause immunosuppression and be an et iological factor in Sudden Infant Death (SID). We investigated 50 seru m samples (40 SID and 10 non-SID victims) by atomic absorption spectro metry. The results show that there is no evidence of a serum selenium deficiency in SID-victims in the region of Aachen. A relationship betw een selenium concentration and the infant immune system still remains speculative and 21 samples even showed increased serum levels. It coul d be necessary to define a 'local' normal range by examining a greater number of healthy infants.