Maternal selenium deficiency was positively associated with the risk of selenium deficiency in children aged 6–59 months in rural Zimbabwe

Mutonhodza, Beaula; Manzeke-Kangara, Muneta G.; Bailey, Elizabeth H.; Matsungo, Tonderayi M.; Chopera, Prosper

Abstract

There is growing evidence showing the existence of selenium (Se) deficiency among women and children in sub-Saharan Africa. Unfortunately, the key drivers of Se deficiency are not clearly understood. This study assessed the determinants of Se deficiency among children aged 6–59 months and Women of Reproductive Age (WRA), in Zimbabwe. This cross-sectional biomarker study was conducted in selected districts in rural Zimbabwe (Murewa, Shamva, and Mutasa). Children aged 6–59 months (n = 683) and WRA (n = 683), were selected using a systematic random sampling approach. Venous blood samples were collected, processed, and stored according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Plasma selenium concentration was measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Anthropometric indices were assessed and classified based on WHO standards. Demographic characteristics were adapted from the Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey standard questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that children whose mothers were Se deficient were 4 times more likely to be Se deficient compared to those whose mothers were Se adequate (OR = 4.25; 95% CI; 1.55–11.67; p = 0.005). Girl children were 3 times more likely to be Se deficient compared to boys (OR = 2.84; 95% CI; 1.08–7.51; p = 0.035). Women producing maize for consumption were 0.5 times more likely to be Se deficient than non-producers (OR = 0.47; 95% CI; 0.25–0.90; p = 0.022). The risk of Se depletion in children was amplified by maternal deficiency. Therefore, initiation of maternal multiple micronutrient supplementation from preconception through lactation is beneficial to both children and women.

Citation

Mutonhodza, B., Manzeke-Kangara, M. G., Bailey, E. H., Matsungo, T. M., & Chopera, P. (2024). Maternal selenium deficiency was positively associated with the risk of selenium deficiency in children aged 6–59 months in rural Zimbabwe. PLOS Global Public Health, 4(7), Article e0003376. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0003376

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 24, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jul 11, 2024
• Publication Date: Jul 11, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jul 15, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 16, 2024
• Journal: PLOS Global Public Health
• Print ISSN: 2767-3375
• Electronic ISSN: 2767-3375
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 4
• Issue: 7
• Article Number: e0003376
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0003376
• Keywords: Micronutrient deficiencies; Children; Diet; Maize; Cereal crops; Food; Selenium; Zimbabwe
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/37157756
• Publisher URL: https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0003376