Indication of silicon essentiality in humans - Serum concentrations in Belgian children and adults, including pregnant women

Serum silicon concentrations were determined in Belgian healthy children an d adults, including pregnant women, by electrothermal atomic absorption spe ctrometry. Serum levels appeared to be significantly higher in healthy chil dren (1-18 yr) than in healthy adults (19-60 yr). Especially, levels in inf ants (< 1 yr) were higher than in any other group. Compared to age-matched nonpregnants, the serum silicon content was very low in pregnant women. In addition to the fact that this study for the first time provides serum sili con values in adults and children in Belgium, the most important observatio n is that these serum profiles might be an indication of silicon essentiali ty in man.