The Investigation of Effects of Blood Exchange Transfusion on Selenium in Newborn Infants by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis Method

The evidence for the effects of blood exchange transfusion on Se in newborn infants is unknown. This study was conducted to determine the possible effects of blood exchange transfusion on Selenium by comparing the blood concentrations before and after exchange transfusion of jaundiced neonates. A total of 30 jaundiced, term neonates who underwent for first time, blood exchange transfusion (EXT) because of idiopathic unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, were recruited. The Se levels of 30 blood bank donors’ samples which used for EXT were measured and 30 pairs of uncontaminated umbilical cord blood samples were investigated for Se before and after exchange transfusion. The samples were analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis method. Serum bilirubin concentrations were measured by venous blood samples before EXT. The average of Se concentration before EXT was higher than that after EXT (629.78±283.82 SD ppb versus 454.83±213.75 SD ppb) (P <0.05). There were significant correlations between the blood concentrations of Se before and after EXT and also between the blood levels of Se before EXT and total serum bilirubin levels (P<0.05). There was no significant correlation between the blood concentrations of Se before EXT and babies’ gender and weight (p>0.05). The samples were obtained from transfused blood products showed average of Se levels of 507.90±223.56 SD ppb. The blood exchange transfusion caused a 28% decrease of the blood Se levels because the blood bank donors had lower blood Se levels than the newborns. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between the blood levels of selenium before EXT and the total serum bilirubin levels.