Prevalence of Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Relationship with Serum Selenium in Apparently Healthy Pregnant Women: Results from the PEACE Registry

Background: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic dysfunction in apparently healthy pregnant women and if there is relationship with serum selenium, in a society with high prevalence of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). Methods: This was a prospective longitudinal study carried out in 3 centres in Kano, Nigeria. 108 apparently healthy pregnant women were consecutively recruited between the 28 th and 38 th weeks of gestation and re-evaluated at the 6 th to 8 th weeks postpartum. Serum selenium was measured at enrolment during pregnancy. LV systolic dysfunction was defined as LV ejection fraction (LVEF) below 50%.  Results: LV systolic dysfunction and diastolic dysfunction were found in 6 subjects (5.6%) and 20 subjects (18.5%) during pregnancy, and in 9 subjects (10.2%) (p=0.340) and 14 (15.9%) (p=0.631)  after delivery, respectively. Mean LVEF was 62.2±6.9% and 60.6±8.2% (p=0.108) during pregnancy and after delivery respectively. Selenium deficiency (<70μg/L) was found in only 2.8% of subjects, and serum selenium did not significantly correlate with indices for LV systolic (LVEF) or diastolic (mitral E/e’ ratio) functions both during pregnancy and after delivery.  Conclusion: LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction and selenium deficiency were uncommon during apparently healthy pregnancy and early puerperium, and serum selenium did not correlate with indices for LV function, in a population with high prevalence of PPCM.