Background: Selenium (Se) is a trace element important for health. Its defciency has adverse effects on reproduction, immunocompetence and cardiovascular status. There is growing evidence that higher Se intakes are associated with reduced cancer risk. To date, there have been no studies conducted on the Se status of Mongolian children. Materials and Methods Non-fasting morning blood samples were collected from 240 children (122 male and 118 female) 6-36 months of age from the capital city of Mongolia and four provinces located in the south, north, east and west of the country. Inclusion criteria were apparently healthy children with no evidence of infection within the previous 7 days. The serum concentrations of Se were determined using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Results: The mean serum Se concentration was 0.79 µmol/L. The indicator was higher for children in the rural provinces compared to those who lived in the capital city (0.81 µmol/L vs. 0.76 µmol/L, p=0.029). There was no statistically signifcant difference in the levels of Se detected between boys and girls (0.79 µmol/Lvs. 0.78 µmol/L, p=0.551). The serum concentration of Se increased with age (0.73µmol/L in the 6-11.9 months age group, 0.79 µmol/L in children aged 12-23.9 months and 0.82 µmol/L in 24-36-month-old participants). The prevalence of low serum Se in the surveyed population (<0.82 μmol/L) was 55.8%. The Se defciency tends to decrease with age (63.8% in the 6-11.9 months age group, 57.6% in participants 12-23.9 months of age and 48.2% in the oldest group). The prevalence of Se defciency is lower among children living in the western regions (38.3%) than among those from other areas of the country (60.4%). Conclusion: The high prevalence of Se defciency among Mongolian children shows that a wider survey that looks at the relationship between the blood Se and its concentrations in food and soil is needed.

Background: The prevalence of rickets is high among Mongolian children. The disease can be prevented by sufficient intake of vitamin D. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in very few foods, and is also produced endogenously when ultraviolet rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis. Serum concentration of 25(OH)D is the best indicator of vitamin D status. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of 25(OH)D in serum samples of small children and evaluate their vitamin D status. Materials and Methods: The concentrations of 25(OH)D were determined in serum samples of 98 children (54 male and 44 female) 6-36 months of age using a 2-step radioimmuno assay procedure. Vitamin D defciency was defned as 25(OH)D < 25nmol/L. Results: The mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was 29.00 nmol/L with no statistically signifcant differences between boys and girls, age groups and children from rural and urban areas. The vitamin D defciency among the surveyed children was 61.2%. The defciency was higher among children from Ulaanbaatar city (65.7% vs 51.9% in rural areas) and in boys (66.7% vs 55.8% in girls). Conclusion: The high level of vitamin D deficiency indicates that there is a need to promote the expansion of the coverage of vitamin D supplements among young children.

Background:Selenium (Se) is a trace element important for health. Its defciency has adverse effects on reproduction, immunocompetence and cardiovascular status. There is growing evidence that higher Se intakes are associated with reduced cancer risk. To date, there have been no studies conducted on the Se status of Mongolian children. Materials and Methods Non-fasting morning blood samples were collected from 240 children (122 male and 118 female) 6-36 months of age from the capital city of Mongolia and four provinces located in the south, north, east and west of the country. Inclusion criteria were apparently healthy children with no evidence of infection within the previous 7 days. The serum concentrations of Se were determined using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.Results:The mean serum Se concentration was 0.79 µmol/L. The indicator was higher for children in the rural provinces compared to those who lived in the capital city (0.81 µmol/L vs. 0.76 µmol/L, p=0.029). There was no statistically signifcant difference in the levels of Se detected between boys and girls (0.79 µmol/Lvs. 0.78 µmol/L, p=0.551). The serum concentration of Se increased with age (0.73µmol/L in the 6-11.9 months age group, 0.79 µmol/L in children aged 12-23.9 months and 0.82 µmol/L in 24-36-month-old participants). The prevalence of low serum Se in the surveyed population (<0.82 μmol/L) was 55.8%. The Se defciency tends to decrease with age (63.8% in the 6-11.9 months age group, 57.6% in participants 12-23.9 months of age and 48.2% in the oldest group). The prevalence of Se defciency is lower among children living in the western regions (38.3%) than among those from other areas of the country (60.4%).Conclusion:The high prevalence of Se defciency among Mongolian children shows that a wider survey that looks at the relationship between the blood Se and its concentrations in food and soil is needed.

Background:The prevalence of rickets is high among Mongolian children. The disease can be prevented by sufficient intake of vitamin D. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in very few foods, and is also produced endogenously when ultraviolet rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis. Serum concentration of 25(OH)D is the best indicator of vitamin D status. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of 25(OH)D in serum samples of small children and evaluate their vitamin D status.Materials and Methods:The concentrations of 25(OH)D were determined in serum samples of 98 children (54 male and 44 female) 6-36 months of age using a 2-step radioimmuno assay procedure. Vitamin D defciency was defned as 25(OH)D < 25nmol/L.Results:The mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was 29.00 nmol/L with no statistically signifcant differences between boys and girls, age groups and children from rural and urban areas. The vitamin D defciency among the surveyed children was 61.2%. The defciency was higher among children from Ulaanbaatar city (65.7% vs 51.9% in rural areas) and in boys (66.7% vs 55.8% in girls).Conclusion:The high level of vitamin D deficiency indicates that there is a need to promote the expansion of the coverage of vitamin D supplements among young children.