The role of selenium in predicting preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a common disorder that is a leading cause of perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality; however its specific etiology has still remained obscure. The first step in preventing preeclampsia is early detection of women at risk. Since there is no valid and reliable screening test، appropriate diagnostic and screening tests are necessary، which are inexpensive، non-invasive and beneficial for pregnant women. Therefore، regarding the role of selenium as an antioxidant in the prevention preeclampsia، this study was designed which aimed to determine the prognostic value of plasma selenium levels in the diagnosis of preeclampsia in primigravida women In a nested case control design، a sample of 650 normal primigravida women of 24-28 weeks participated in the study. Subjects who involved the case group were followed up for 3 months and 38 were affected by preeclampsia. Blood samples were obtained from these 38patients as well as from 38 subjects as their matched controls. Moreover، the amount of selenium was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean level of selenium in blood plasma of the cases was significantly lower than in their matched controls. The present study findings revealed that pregnant women with serum Se < 66. 1 μg/L had a significantly increased risk of preeclampsia. Lower plasma selenium level in women destines to suffering from preeclampsia which confirms the destructive effect of selenium deficiency as an antioxidant in etiopathology of preeclampsia. Measurement of plasma selenium can improve the prediction of preeclampsia; thus، it seems that plasma selenium level test owns an acceptable sensitivity and specificity for predicting preeclampsia.