Selenium supplementation and premature (pre-labour) rupture of membranes: A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Abstract

The aim was to determine if selenium supplementation during pregnancy reduces the occurrence of premature (pre-labour) rupture of membranes (PROM). A total of 166 primigravid pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy, were randomised to receive 100 μg of selenium (n = 83, drop-outs = 22) or a placebo (n = 83, drop-outs = 19) per day until delivery. The incidence of PROM, as well as serum selenium concentrations were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the study. Supplementation with selenium was associated with a significant increase in mean serum selenium concentration at term (p < 0.001). In contrast, mean serum selenium concentration remained unchanged in the control group (p > 0.05). The incidence of PROM was significantly lower in the selenium group (n = 8, 13.1%) than in the control group (n = 22, 34.4%) (p < 0.01). Our findings indicate that selenium supplementation (100 μg/day) in pregnant women effectively reduces the incidence of PROM.

Keywords:

• Pre-labour rupture of membranes
• selenium
• oxidative stress

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the women who participated in the trial as well as the staff of the obstetrics and gynaecology department of the OM-Albanin Hospital whose support made this study possible.

Declaration of interest: This research project has been financially supported by the Research Council of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. The contribution of Pharma Nord Vejle Company to the study is gratefully acknowledged. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.