Comparison of serum selenium levels among hypertensive and normotensive pregnant women.

Objective: To correlate serum selenium levels with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) in a selected population and evaluate this mineral as a possible protective factor.

Methods: This case-control study included 32 normotensive, 20 hypertensive (chronic and gestational hypertension), and 38 preeclamptic pregnant women. All patients were recruited from antenatal or obstetric admissions of a tertiary hospital in Brazil. Serum selenium was measured at the time of inclusion. Patients were followed up until hospital discharge after delivery.

Results: Groups did not differ with regard to maternal age, ethnicity, educational attainment, parity, or smoking prevalence. Normotensive patients had lower body mass index and were included in the study earlier. These patients also had a higher prevalence of comorbidities other than hypertension. Continuous use of medication and a history of HDP in previous pregnancies were more common in preeclamptic patients. Serum selenium levels were not significantly different between groups, with an average of 56.4 ± 15.3 μg/L in the control group, 53.2 ± 15.2 μg/L in the hypertension group, and 53.3 ± 16.8 μg/L in the preeclampsia group (p = 0.67). Among patients with preeclampsia, 52.6% had the severe form. Serum selenium levels in these patients also did not differ significantly from those of controls (p = 0.77). Preeclampsia was associated with earlier termination of pregnancy and lower birth weight (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences across groups in other outcomes of interest.

Conclusion: Serum selenium levels did not differ significantly between groups. Thus, we could not establish whether selenium is a protective factor against these conditions.