Association of Levels of Serum Selenium with Anemia in Primary School Children

Background and Objectives: The objective of the study was to find out association of serum selenium levels with anemia in primary school children. Methodology: Primary school children of age 6 to 9 years were included in the study by census method. Hemoglobin levels and red cell indices were performed on Sysmex 1000 i. Serum Iron and Total iron binding capacity (TIBC was performed on semi-automated spectrophotometer (Chem – 7) in patients with hypochromic microcytic anemia. Serum levels of selenium were performed on hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometer (ContrAA 700). Results: Out of 150 children 55 (36.7%) had anemia and remaining 95 (63.3%) children were non-anemic. Out of 150 children 77 (51%) children had normal selenium level and all these 77 children were non anemic. Remaining 73 (48 %) children had selenium levels lower than normal level and thus had selenium deficiency. Among these 73 children 55 (36.7%) were anemic and remaining 18 (12%) children were non-anemic. Serum selenium levels were lower in anemic as compared with non-anemic children. Selenium levels were significantly associated with anemia with a p value of < 0.01. Conclusions: Low serum selenium is associated with anemia among primary school children.