Selenium supplementation to prevent short-term morbidity in preterm neonates.

Study answer

What this study found

Selenium supplementation reduced one or more episodes of sepsis overall, but did not improve survival or reduce chronic lung disease or retinopathy of prematurity. In the largest trial, sepsis after the first week occurred in 67/267 supplemented infants versus 86/258 controls, and no side effects were recorded. Smaller trials were less consistent, with no clear benefit for death, CLD, or ROP.

Study & population

Systematic review of 3 randomized trials in preterm or very low birth weight infants cared for in neonatal units in Australia and New Zealand.

Intervention

Selenium supplementation was given enterally or parenterally as selenious acid, sodium selenate, or sodium selenite.

Key limitation

The evidence base was small and dominated by one large trial, with two much smaller studies contributing limited precision.

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Original abstract