EFFECTS OF A LOW SELENIUM STATE IN PATIENTS WITH PHENYLKETONURIA

Eighty-seven participants of the German Collaboratory Study for Childr en with Phenylketonuria (PKU) presented low plasma, whole blood and ha ir selenium (Se) values, reduced urinary selenium excretion, and decre ased plasma and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity in compari son with a healthy reference group (all figures p < 0.001). Aspartate amino transferase and thyroxine (T-4) concentrations in plasma were in versely correlated with the selenium blood values of the PKU children. Somatic measurements showed a negative standard deviation score of bo dy height in the PKU children compared with reference values. Despite the different Se supply, the infants did not present any specific Se d eficiency symptoms.