ABSTRACT
Objective To compare selenium content in hair samples of children in Kashin-Beck Disease (KBD) areas and control areas,and to provide academic data for KBD control and prevention.Methods In 2011,Longnan,Qingyang,Dingxi City of KDB areas in Gansu Provines were selected as survey point,meanwhile,colleagues of Tianshui City and Lanzhou City were selected as control.Hair samples of children aged between 6 and 12 years were taken from each survey point to determine the hair selenium.After using the nitricperchloric mixed acid to digest the sample,the concentrations of selenium were determined by hydride generator atomic fluorescence spectrometry.Results Two hundred and fifty-four samples from KBD areas and 102 samples from control areas were collected.The hair selenium of KBD areas[(0.22 ± 0.07),(0.22 ± 0.00),(0.20 ± 0.07)mg/kg],were higher than the control areas[(0.32 ± 0.08),(0.42 ±0.11)mg/kg].After comparation of selenium content in every sampling point,we found the range of children's selenium content was relatively narrow in KBD areas (0.08-0.46 mg/kg).The minimum value and the maximum value in KBD areas were lower than that of control areas (0.15-0.51 mg/kg).A totle of 51.1％ (182/356) of children was seriously lack of selenium,the hair selenium content was ＜ 0.25 mg/kg.It was also found that Se content was not significantly different between boys and girls.Conclusions Children's selenium is deficient in KBD areas in Gansu.It is important to ensure salt supplement with selenium for a long period of time and through other ways to increase Selenium intake to control KBD.