Increase in serum selenium levels in Finnish children and young adults during 1980-1986: a correlation between the serum levels and the estimated intake.

Serum selenium concentrations of Finnish children and adolescents (ages: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 years) were analysed in 1980. The sample included 1706 subjects from five different areas, each containing rural and urban sectors. The serum selenium concentration levels were compared to the intakes of energy, selenium, protein, fat and carbohydrate estimated by a dietary survey (in a total of 1090 subjects from the 1706). In 1986 corresponding data were obtained from 280 of the subjects from the 1980 sample. The mean intake of selenium from food in 1980 ranged from 12 to 23 micrograms per day for the different age groups. In 1986, after the addition of selenium to fertilizers, the mean daily intake of selenium ranged from 69 to 82 micrograms per day for the groups of subjects, who were 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 years old by that time. In 1980, the children aged 3 and 6 years had lower selenium concentrations in their sera compared to the other age groups. However, serum selenium levels were higher in the Tampere and Oulu areas. In 1986 the selenium concentrations in sera increased with age (9-21-year-olds) and no regional differences were found. The selenium levels in sera were higher in 1986 than in 1980 due to the increased intake after the addition of selenium to fertilizers used in Finland. The increase in selenium levels between the 1980 and 1986 studies were, on the average, 45%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)