The effect of selenium supplementation in pregnant women on maternal, fetal, and newborn outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

McDougall et al., 2023 | Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM | Meta Analysis

Citation

McDougall Annie R, Dore Gabrielle, ... Vogel Joshua P. The effect of selenium supplementation in pregnant women on maternal, fetal, and newborn outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM. 2023-Nov;5(11):101160. doi:10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101160

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Low maternal selenium status has been associated with poor pregnancy outcomes, including preterm birth. This study aimed to evaluate available evidence of the effects of selenium supplementation during pregnancy on preterm birth and related maternal, fetal, and newborn outcomes. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Global Index Medicus, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched on June 23, 2022, without language or time restrictions. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials and nonrandomized interventional studies were included if they compared the effects of selenium supplementation with placebo or no treatment among pregnant women. The review protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (identification number: CRD42022383669). METHODS: For outcomes reported by ≥1 study, a meta-analysis was conducted. Because of the small number of studies and high clinical heterogeneity between populations, random-effects models were used. The Risk of Bias 2 and Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies - of Interventions tools were used to assess study quality, and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation analysis was used to determine the certainty of evidence for each outcome. RESULTS: Literature searches identified 5105 unique records, and 32 studies met the eligibility criteria. Of note, 11 reports were not included for analysis following research integrity assessments. Moreover, 10 trials and 3 observational studies met the inclusion criteria; however, only 8 trials (1851 women) and 1 prospective cohort study (71,728 women) reported on at least 1 review outcome. Our results could not determine the effect of selenium supplementation on preterm birth at <37 weeks of gestation (relative risk, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.26-1.63; very low certainty evidence) and <34 weeks of gestation (relative risk, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 0.59-1.44; very low certainty evidence). CONCLUSION: There is limited evidence on the effects of selenium supplementation during pregnancy. Further trials, with larger sample sizes, more representative populations, and reliable assessment of maternal selenium status at trial entry, are required.

Key Findings

Literature searches identified 5105 unique records, and 32 studies met the eligibility criteria. Of note, 11 reports were not included for analysis following research integrity assessments. Moreover, 10 trials and 3 observational studies met the inclusion criteria; however, only 8 trials (1851 women) and 1 prospective cohort study (71,728 women) reported on at least 1 review outcome. Our results could not determine the effect of selenium supplementation on preterm birth at <37 weeks of gestation

Outcomes Measured

• Requires manual extraction

Population

MeSH Terms

• Female
• Pregnancy
• Infant, Newborn
• Humans
• Pregnant People
• Selenium
• Premature Birth
• Dietary Supplements
• Prospective Studies
• Pregnancy Outcome

Evidence Classification

• Level: Meta Analysis
• Publication Types: Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
• Vertical: selenium

Provenance

• PMID: 37716440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.101160
• PMCID: Not in PMC
• Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09