Selenium in Human Lactation

The primary factor determining selenium concentration in human milk is the maternal selenium intake. A significant correlation between selenium in human milk and maternal selenium intake has been reviewed in papers from different regions of the world. Infants fed human milk have higher selenium intake than those fed commercially available formula milk or baby foods. Selenium compounds found in breast milk seem to be more biologically available for infant nutrition than those in formulas. Increased requirements of selenium have been observed in pregnant and lactating women. Supplementation of lactating and pregnant women with different selenium compounds has been assayed, and selenium supplementation of soil and cows has been used to increase the selenium status of children fed infant formula made from cow's milk.