Abstract
Selenium appears to have a beneficial effect on number of adverse pregnancy health conditions. Higher selenium status has been associated with a lower risk of miscarriage and preterm birth, while there is evidence from randomized controlled trials that selenium supplementation may reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia and post-partum thyroid disease. The ability of selenoproteins to reduce oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation, and to protect the endothelium, control eicosanoid production, regulate vascular tone and reduce infection, is likely to be important in these apparently protective effects.