A Review of the Potential Interaction of Selenium and Iodine on Placental and Child Health

Abstract

A healthy pregnancy is important for the growth and development of a baby. An adverse pregnancy outcome is associated with increased chronic disease risk for the mother and offspring. An optimal diet both before and during pregnancy is essential to support the health of the mother and offspring. A key mediator of the effect of maternal nutrition factors on pregnancy outcomes is the placenta. Complicated pregnancies are characterized by increased oxidative stress in the placenta. Selenium and iodine are micronutrients that are involved in oxidative stress in placental cells. To date, there has been no comprehensive review investigating the potential synergistic effect of iodine and selenium in the placenta and how maternal deficiencies may be associated with increased oxidative stress and hence adverse pregnancy outcomes. We undertook a hypothesis-generating review on selenium and iodine, to look at how they may relate to pregnancy complications through oxidative stress. We propose how they may work together to impact pregnancy and placental health and explore how deficiencies in these micronutrients during pregnancy may impact the future health of offspring.

Fetal Programming Is Deeply Related to Maternal Selenium Status and Oxidative Balance; Experimental Offspring Health Repercussions

“…For all these reasons, Se is recognized as an essential element to human reproduction. In humans it reduces the time to conceive and improves fertility [ 50 ], decreases the risk of hypertension and other pregnancy complications in pregnant women [ 51 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 ], and balances important inflammatory indicators such as C-reactive protein and the antioxidant defense system [ 82 , 83 , 85 ]. Furthermore, Se deficiency affects health parameters in children like growth and development, as well as cognitive functions of infants in the first few years of life [ 86 , 87 , 88 ].…”

Neonatal Selenoenzyme Expression Is Variably Susceptible to Duration of Maternal Selenium Deficiency

“…Maternal Se status regulates Se levels in the neonate, and maternal circulating Selenop is responsible for placental Se transport [ 18 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ]. Understanding of specific neonatal selenoproteins expression in response to maternal Se deficiency may provide insight into mechanisms by which Se deficiency is associated with worse outcomes in the neonatal period.…”

Nutritional Status of Selenium and Its Association with Diet and Indoor Air Pollution among Pregnant Women in a Rural Area of Northern China

“…Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element in the human body [1]. It is transferred to the fetus through the placenta and plays an important role in pregnancy [2]. Several epidemiological studies have shown that low levels of Se in pregnancy may be associated with miscarriage, preterm birth, neural tube defects (NTDs), preeclampsia, and other maternal gestational complications [3][4][5][6][7], as well as with impact on the cognitive function of the infant [8].…”

“…Selenoproteins are vital to maternal and infant health, and they contribute to antioxidation, immunoregulation, and antagonism [10]. The demand for Se significantly increases during gestation [2], and with the development of pregnancy, Se levels in serum gradually decline due to the active transport of Se to the placenta and hemodilution [11]. There is evidence to suggest that suboptimal Se intake during pregnancy is a common phenomenon [12].…”