Abstract
© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved. There is evidence that selenium affects a number of adverse pregnancy health conditions. While higher selenium status has been associated with a lower risk of miscarriage and preterm birth, the level of evidence is stronger for a benefit of higher selenium intake/status in preeclampsia and autoimmune thyroid disease characterized by raised thyroid peroxidase antibodies. The ability of selenium to reduce oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and inflammation, to protect the endothelium, to control eicosanoid production, to regulate vascular tone, and to reduce infection is likely to be important in the context of these conditions.