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Low urinary selenium levels are associated with iodine deficiency in Brazilian schoolchildren and adolescents

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Abstract

Background

Selenium (Se) and iodine (Io) are important micronutrients for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland, as they are crucial for the synthesis and activation of the thyroid hormones (TH) triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).

Objective

To evaluate the Se and Io nutritional status among schoolchildren.

Methodology

Cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study conducted in 982 schoolchildren aged 6–14 years from public schools in the state of Bahia, Brazil. Sociodemographic and anthropometric variables, as well as urinary Se (USC) and Io concentrations (UIC) using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from filter paper blood collection, were evaluated.

Results

The median USC and UIC were 38.7 and 210.0 (IQR: 26.8–52.9 and 129.3–334.1 μg/L, respectively). The prevalence of iodine deficiency and excessive UIC were observed in 17.1% and 30.9% of schoolchildren, respectively. Concomitant low USC and IoD was found in 3.9% of schoolchildren. There was a positive correlation between USC and UIC (r = 0.60; p = 0.00). The median TSH was 0.95 (IQR: 0.69–1.30 µUI/L).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that USC is a good biomarker for assessing Se status, meantime more studies are needed to establish cutoff USC in child population. Despite adequate median intake, a subgroup of schoolchildren had IoD and low USC. The correlation between UIC and USC point at the importance of two micronutrients, raising the question whether measuring Se should be included in monitoring programs that address the prevention of nutritional disturbances.

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Abbreviations

UIC:

Urinary iodine concentration

USC:

Urinary selenium concentration

TH:

Thyroid hormones

WHO:

World Health Organization

IoD:

Iodine deficiency

IDD:

Iodine deficiency disorder

EII:

Excessive iodine intake

SeD:

Selenium deficiency

NIS:

Sodium-iodine symporter

TSH:

Thyroid-stimulating hormone

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Funding

This study was supported by State of Bahia Research Foundation (FAPESB Edital 029/2012) grant (TOU PET0002/2013).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health and Science Center, Federal University Reconcavo of Bahia, Santo Antonio de Jesus, BA, Brazil

    Renata de Oliveira Campos & Clotilde Assis Oliveira

  2. Postgraduate Program in Interactive Processes of Organs and Systems, Health & Science Institute, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil

    Renata de Oliveira Campos & Helton Estrela Ramos

  3. Bioregulation Department, Health and Science Institute, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil

    Renata de Oliveira Campos, Lorena Maia de Jesus & Helton Estrela Ramos

  4. Laboratory of Toxicology and Essentiality of Metals, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil

    Déborah Araújo Morais, Wellington Tavares de Sousa Júnior, Vanessa Cristina de Oliveira Souza & Fernando Barbosa Júnior

  5. Federal University of Jequitinhonha e Mucuri Valleys, Teófilo Otoni, Brazil

    Mariana Macedo

  6. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, 5000, Denmark

    Laszlo Hegedüs

Authors
  1. Renata de Oliveira Campos
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  2. Lorena Maia de Jesus
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  3. Déborah Araújo Morais
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  5. Vanessa Cristina de Oliveira Souza
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  6. Clotilde Assis Oliveira
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  7. Fernando Barbosa Júnior
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  8. Mariana Macedo
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  10. Helton Estrela Ramos
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Contributions

RdeOC (data collection, USC and UIC analysis, anthropometric data and article writing), LMdeJ (data collection), DAM (USC and UIC analysis), WTdeSJ (USC and UIC analysis), VCdeOS (USC and UIC analysis), CAO (anthropometric data), FBJ (USC and UIC analysis), MM (text review), LH (text review) and HER (research coordinator and text review).

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Helton Estrela Ramos.

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de Oliveira Campos, R., de Jesus, L.M., Morais, D.A. et al. Low urinary selenium levels are associated with iodine deficiency in Brazilian schoolchildren and adolescents. Endocrine 73, 609–616 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-021-02681-6

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