Selenium, systemic immune response syndrome, sepsis, and outcome in critically ill patients

In severely ill ICU patients with SIRS, we observed an early 40% decrease in plasma selenium concentrations, reaching values observed in deleterious nutritional selenium deficiency. This prolonged decrease in selenium concentrations could explain the three-fold increase in morbidity and mortality rates in these patients compared with other ICU patients. The efficacy of selenium treatment in SIRS patients with a high gravity index score or hypoperfusion needs further investigation.