Relationship between selenium concentration in child hair and the distribution of Kashin-Beck disease in Tibet, China.

The focus of this study is to determine the relationship between selenium (Se) concentrations in child hair and the distribution of Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) in Tibet. The hair of children in typical KBD-affected areas and non-disease areas was collected, and its Se concentrations were measured by atomic fluorescent spectrometry. The Se concentrations in child hair were (0.13±0.04) and (0.18±0.07) μg/g respectively in KBD areas and non-disease areas respectively, which are significantly different. In areas supplemented with Se in Tibet, the Se concentration of hair in KBD-affected areas was higher than that in non-diseased areas, being (0.28±0.03) and (0.18±0.04) μg/g respectively. There is a close relationship between the Se concentrations in hair and KBD distribution. Se supplement increase the Se concentrations in the human body. Appropriate Se supplementation is important to prevent KBD in Tibet.