Oral Selenium as an Adjunct in the Treatment of Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Children: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
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Date
2025-05
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Indian Academy of Pediatrics
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the role of oral selenium in clinical recovery of acute lower respiratory tract infec?ons (ALRTI) in under-five children. METHODS This double-blind, randomized controlled trial included children aged 6 months to 5 years hospitalised with ALRTI at a ter?ary care hospital. Par?cipants were randomized in 1:1 ra?o to receive oral selenium (20–30 mcg/day) or placebo, once daily un?l discharge, along with standard treatment. The primary outcome was the ?me for clinical recovery. The secondary outcomes were the dura?on of hospital stay, modes of oxygen support required and side effects of selenium. RESULTS A total of 60 children were randomized to either groups. The median (IQR) ?me required for clinical recovery was 72 (54, 144) h in the selenium group and 96 (54, 120) h in the placebo group ( P = 0.346). The median (IQR) dura?on of hospital stay was 6 (5, 7) days and 6 (6, 8) days in the selenium and placebo groups, respec?vely ( P = 0.680). Mechanical ven?la?on was required in 10 (16.6%) and 21 (35%) children in the selenium and placebo groups, respec?vely ( P = 0.020). No side effects were reported with the interven?on. CONCLUSIONS Oral selenium administered as an adjunct in a daily dose of 20–30 mcg orally for 5–7 days, does not reduce the ?me needed for clinical recovery or the dura?on of hospitaliza?on but reduces the need for mechanical ven?la?on in under-five children with ALRTI.
Description
Keywords
Pneumonia, Oxygen, Under-fi ve children, Sodium selenate
Citation
Shaikh Rubeena Jamir, Joshi Trupti Amol, Mundada Smita Madhusudan, Pawar Shilpa Yashwant, More Prabha Bhaskar Khaire . Oral Selenium as an Adjunct in the Treatment of Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Children: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Indian Pediatrics. 2025 May; 62(5): 351-355