The Impact of Selenium Exposure During Pregnancy on Risk for Miscarriage: A Systematic Review

TL;DR

This review suggests that lower selenium levels in pregnant women may be linked to a higher risk of miscarriage, but more research is needed to confirm the connection.

Contribution

The study systematically reviews the relationship between maternal selenium status and miscarriage risk, highlighting potential biological mechanisms.

Findings

Lower maternal blood selenium concentrations are associated with increased miscarriage risk.

Placental selenium levels showed inconsistent findings across studies.

Environmental selenium exposure had no significant association with miscarriage in one low-powered study.

Abstract

Selenium (Se) is an antioxidant essential trace element influencing inflammatory and immune pathways. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the role of maternal Se status during pregnancy in miscarriage risk. A systematic search of PubMed and Embase up to July 2024 was conducted to identify relevant original research studies in English. Available evidence was qualitatively synthesized and predefined sources of bias were assessed. Of 2345 studies identified, 421 full texts were assessed and 14 were included, encompassing 2309 pregnancies. Despite notable methodological limitations across several studies, current evidence indicates that maternal blood Se concentrations are lower among women who experience miscarriage compared to those with uncomplicated pregnancies. Findings regarding placental Se levels were inconsistent, but important methodological issues were noted. Environmental Se exposure was investigated in a single low-powered study, which did not demonstrate a statistically significant association. Potential interactions between Se status, co-exposure to other environmental or lifestyle factors, and effect modification remain insufficiently explored. Adequate maternal Se status during early gestation may reduce miscarriage risk by mitigating oxidative stress and ferroptosis, supporting immune regulation, and modulating thyroid autoimmunity and function. However, causal inference cannot be established due to the absence of randomized interventional evidence.

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