Effects of selenium supplementation on pregnancy outcomes and disease progression in HIV‐infected pregnant women in Lagos: A randomized controlled trial
Kehinde S. Okunade, Olusola Olowoselu, Sarah John‐Olabode, Basirat O. Hassan, O. J Akinsola, Chidinma Magnus Nwogu, Aloy Okechukwu Ugwu, O. E Moses, Kabiru Afolarin Rabiu, Adegbenga Ajepe, M. A Adenekan, Adebola A. Adejimi, Sulaimon Akanmu, Phyllis J. Kanki
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of selenium supplementation on pregnancy outcomes and disease progression among HIV-infected pregnant women in Lagos. METHODS: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted among HIV-positive pregnant women between September 2018 and August 2019. At enrollment, 90 women were randomly assigned into each treatment arm to receive either a daily tablet of 200 μg elemental selenium or a placebo. Relevant participants' sociodemographic and clinical data were collected at enrollment and delivery. RESULTS: Women in the selenium arm had a significantly lower risk of preterm delivery (relative risk [RR] 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.11-0.96) and a non-significant reduction in the risk of delivering term neonates with a low delivery weight (RR 0.24, 95% CI 0.05-1.19). Supplemental selenium does not increase the risk of perinatal death and adverse drug events. CONCLUSION: The study reported a beneficial effect of prenatal selenium supplements on the risk of preterm delivery with no further reduction in risk among HIV-infected women who used the supplements for more than 14 weeks. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (PACTR201809756724274).