| Acute selenium toxicity associated with a dietary supplement. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20142570 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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BACKGROUND: Selenium is an element necessary for normal cellular function, but it can have toxic effects at high doses. We investigated an outbreak of acute selenium poisoning. METHODS: A case was defined as the onset of symptoms of selenium toxicity in a person within 2 weeks after ingesting a dietary supplement manufactured by "Company A," purchased after January 1, 2008. We conducted case finding, administered initial and 90-day follow-up questionnaires to affected persons, and obtained laboratory data where available. RESULTS: The source of the outbreak was identified as a liquid dietary supplement that contained 200 times the labeled concentration of selenium. Of 201 cases identified in 10 states, 1 person was hospitalized. The median estimated dose of selenium consumed was 41 749 microg/d (recommended dietary allowance is 55 microg/d). Frequently reported symptoms included diarrhea (78%), fatigue (75%), hair loss (72%), joint pain (70%), nail discoloration or brittleness (61%), and nausea (58%). Symptoms persisting 90 days or longer included fingernail discoloration and loss (52%), fatigue (35%), and hair loss (29%). The mean initial serum selenium concentration of 8 patients was 751 microg/L (reference range, < or =125 microg/L). The mean initial urine selenium concentration of 7 patients was 166 microg/24 h (reference range, < or =55 microg/24 h). CONCLUSIONS: Toxic concentrations of selenium in a liquid dietary supplement resulted in a widespread outbreak. Had the manufacturers been held to standards used in the pharmaceutical industry, it may have been prevented. |
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Authors:
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Jennifer K MacFarquhar; Danielle L Broussard; Paul Melstrom; Richard Hutchinson; Amy Wolkin; Colleen Martin; Raymond F Burk; John R Dunn; Alice L Green; Roberta Hammond; William Schaffner; Timothy F Jones |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Multicenter Study; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Archives of internal medicine Volume: 170 ISSN: 1538-3679 ISO Abbreviation: Arch. Intern. Med. Publication Date: 2010 Feb |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-02-09 Completed Date: 2010-03-11 Revised Date: 2011-12-21 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0372440 Medline TA: Arch Intern Med Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 256-61 Citation Subset: AIM; IM |
Affiliation:
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Acute Disease Adolescent Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Alopecia / chemically induced*, epidemiology Child Child, Preschool Dietary Supplements / poisoning* Dose-Response Relationship, Drug Female Follow-Up Studies Gastrointestinal Diseases / chemically induced*, epidemiology Humans Incidence Male Middle Aged Questionnaires Retrospective Studies Risk Factors Selenium / administration & dosage, poisoning* Selenium Compounds / administration & dosage, poisoning* Time Factors Young Adult |
| Grant Support | |
ID/Acronym/Agency:
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DK058763/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS; R01 DK058763-10/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Selenium Compounds; 7782-49-2/Selenium |
| Comments/Corrections | |
Comment In:
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Arch Intern Med. 2010 Feb 8;170(3):261-3
[PMID:
20142571
]
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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