Skip to main content

Selenium and Glutathione Peroxidase in Mothers Experiencing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

  • Chapter
Trace Elements in Man and Animals 6

Abstract

The relationship of selenium to the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been evaluated only summarily. Findings in the animal studies done by Money1 led him to suggest that selenium deficiency could be a causative factor in reported human cases. A study by Rhead et al.2 failed to support this contention when whole blood selenium levels were evaluated in 12 SIDS cases and compared to 4 control infants. Rhead’s report has been cited as evidence refuting selenium’s role in SIDS. We feel, nonetheless, that this small number of observations weakens the rebuttal of Money’s hypothesis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. D. F. L. Money, Vitamin E and selenium deficiencies and their possible aetiological role in the sudden death in infants syndrome. N. Z. Med. J., 71: 32 (1970).

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. W. J. Rhead, E. E. Cary, W. H. Allaway, S. L. Saltzstein, and G. N. Schrauzer, The vitamin E and selenium status of infants and the sudden infant death syndrome, Bioinorg. Chem., 1: 289 (1977).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. J. Lombeck, K. Kasperek, H. D. Harbisch, L. E. Feinendegen, and H. J. Bremer, The selenium state of healthy children, Eur. J. Pediatr., 125: 81 (1977).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. C. D. Thomson, H. M. Rea, V. M. Doesburg, and M. F. Robinson, Selenium concentrations and glutathione peroxidase activities in whole blood of New Zealand residents, Br. J. Nutr., 37: 457 (1977).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. H. K. Kang and J. L. Valentine, Acid interference in the determination of arsenic by atomic absorption spectrometry, Anal. Chem., 49: 1829 (1977).

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. J. L. Valentine, L. S. Reisbord, H. K. Kang, and M. D. Schluchter, Effects on human health of exposure to selenium in drinking water, in: “Selenium in Biology and Medicine,” G. F. Combs et al., ed., Van Nostrand Rheinhold Co., New York (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  7. B. Welz and M. Melcher, Accuracy of selenium determination in human body fluids using hydride-generation atomic absorption spectrometry, in: “Selenium in Biology and Medicine,” (ibidem).

    Google Scholar 

  8. J. A. Butler and P. D. Whanger, Dietary selenium requirements of pregnant women and their infants, in: “Selenium in Biology and Medicine,” (ibidem).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1988 Plenum Press, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Valentine, J., Faraji, B., Akashi, K. (1988). Selenium and Glutathione Peroxidase in Mothers Experiencing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. In: Hurley, L.S., Keen, C.L., Lönnerdal, B., Rucker, R.B. (eds) Trace Elements in Man and Animals 6. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0723-5_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0723-5_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-8050-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-0723-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics