- Dr Obichukwu NG 1*, Dr Adiele D 3, Dr Umeadi Ngozi 1,2 , Dr Echendu S 1, Dr Agu N 1
- 1 Consultant, Department of Paediatrics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Anambra state, Nigeria. 2 Consultant, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Anambra State, Nigeria. 3 Consultant, Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.
Selenium is an essential micronutrient, known for its antioxidant property and its role in multiple signaling pathways needed for proper physiologic cardiac muscle function. The analysis of serum selenium level among children with Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) becomes important since current studies have shown that these children are more prone to malnutrition and detrimental consequences of micronutrient deficiency.
Aim and Objectives
This study was designed to determine the serum selenium values and its association with Ross severity grade of heart failure among under five year old children with CHD in Anambra state- Nigeria.
Methodology
This is a cross sectional comparative study that enrolled under five year old children with CHD in Anambra State and equal number of sex, age and SEC matched controls. Information of their sociodemographics like age, gender, Socio-economic class (SEC) and Ross severity grade of heart failure was gotten using a pretested, interviewer administered questionnaire. Also 2mls of blood used in analyzing serum selenium level was collected from the participants, while observing universal precaution. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. The association of serum selenium values with the categorical independent variables were determined and p-value for statistical significance set at <0.05 and at 95% confidence level for clinical significance.
Result
A total of 80 subjects of under- fives with CHD and 80 age, gender and SEC matched normal controls without CHD were enrolled into the study. There were preponderance of females 50(62.5%) in each of the subjects and control groups. The mean serum selenium value of the subject group was 43.25± 10.4 which was statistically significant when compared with the mean serum selenium value of the matched Controls 83.75±16.8, with t-test of 17.23 at p <0.001.
The serum selenium values of the subjects were significantly associated with age, SEC and Ross severity grades of heart failure. Though the mean serum selenium value was higher among males than the females in the subject group, the noted difference was not statistically significant.
Conclusion
Prompt treatment of heart failure to avert very severe grade of heart failure, can ameliorate the impact of deficient serum selenium level among under fives with CHD. Furthermore, early introduction of selenium supplementation especially among 0 to 2 year old, may improve the prognosis of heart failure among children with CHD in Anambra State, Nigeria.
