Background. It has been found that selenium deficiency is one of the risk factors for the development of thyroid pathology, in particular autoimmune one. The evidence base for this statement includes the association of low selenium levels with enlarged thyroid gland, heterogeneity, and the presence of hypoechogenicity, which are ultrasonographic signs of thyroid lymphoid infiltration. Given that the inhabitants of rural areas consume mainly vegetables and fruits of local origin and water from local sources, the levels of selenium in them largely reflect the supply of this trace element in specific territories. Aim: to determine the degree of selenium availability of adolescent girls in rural areas of Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv regions of Ukraine. Materials and methods. The level of selenium was studied in the hair of adolescent girls aged 13–15 years. Measurements were made using an atomic absorption spectrometer ICE 3500 (Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA). Selenium content of more than 0.8 μg/g was considered normal. Results. It was found that selenium level in the hair was lower than the reference values in 15 of 16 residents of Zaporizhzhia region (93.6 %), in 16 of 18 residents of the Balakliia district (88.9 %) and in all the examined girls from Chuhuiiv district of Kharkiv region (100.0 %). At the same time, the median and minimum levels of selenium supply in all groups of patients were lower than the lower threshold of reference norms. In 12 of 16 examinees in group I (75.0 %), 9 of 12 in group II (75.0 %) and 14 of 18 in group III (77.77 %), thyroid sizes exceeded the age norm. Conclusions. The results of the research show that adolescent girls living in rural areas of Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv regions have a high frequency of selenium deficiency against the background of which the majority of the examined patients has increased thyroid volume. Such data require regular monitoring of the health of adolescents in the specified areas with the mandatory participation of endocrinologists. In addition, there is a need to develop special organizational measures that would ensure timely detection of children with selenium deficiency with a rational schedule for their further examination.
