We are pleased to announce that the international project SELENIUS: Selenium in early life to enhance neurodevelopment in unfavourable settings, involving a Polish research team led by dr hab. Kinga Polańska from the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in Lodz has been awarded funding in the JPI HDHL Intestinal Microbiomics call for proposals.
Researchers from France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the UK will investigate the effect of selenium (Se) levels in fetal life on neurobehavioral development. During pregnancy and the rapid growth and development of the fetus, demand for trace elements, including selenium, is particularly high. Existing research suggests that as pregnancy progresses, the concentration of Se significantly reduces and is the lowest at delivery. Selenium deficiency may contribute to shortening the duration of pregnancy and lowering the birth weight, whereas appropriate levels may favourably affect child psychomotor development.
The project will involve not only animal studies, but also the analysis of data from the Polish Mother and Child Cohort Study (REPRO_PL) and other existing birth cohorts in Europe. The researchers will strive to determine the favourable effects of trace elements on the psychomotor development of children with the adverse influence of environmental factors, including exposure to heavy metals. Achievement of the project objectives will speed up expanding knowledge regarding the combined effect of the selected nutrients on psychomotor development and will have strong implications for public health and the design of nutraceutical interventions for pregnant women and women planning their pregnancy as well as young mothers.