A new study reveals a potential link between maternal selenium levels during pregnancy and reduced risk of streptococcal infections in children (Table 1). The findings suggest selenium’s key role in shaping early immune defence but highlight the importance of balance to avoid toxicity.
Study Overview
- Participants: Over 74,000 mother-child pairs from a nationwide Japanese birth cohort
- Exposure Measured: Maternal blood levels of selenium, mercury, cadmium, lead, and manganese during pregnancy
- Outcome Tracked: Incidence of streptococcal infections in children between ages 3 and 4
- Key Finding: Higher maternal selenium levels were associated with lower incidence of streptococcal infections
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes common childhood infections like:
- Strep throat
- Impetigo (skin infection)
- Scarlet fever
- More rarely: invasive diseases (e.g., sepsis, toxic shock)
Summary
| Finding | Higher selenium in pregnant mothers linked to lower strep risk in their children |
| Mechanism | Likely tied to selenium’s immune-boosting role |
| Caveat | Results are correlational; not a basis for supplementation guidance yet |
| Implication | Supports maternal nutrition’s role in shaping childhood immune health |
Journal article: Iwata, H., et al., 2025. Association between prenatal exposure to maternal metal and trace elements and Streptococcus infection: A prospective birth cohort in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study. PLOS ONE.
Summary by Stefan Botha
