Association between First-Trimester Maternal Serum Selenium Concentrations and the Subsequent Risk of Gestational Hypertension

International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology | Vol. 14, No. 9, September 2026 | pp. 867–878

DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJOG/000553

Original Research Article

Title: Association between First-Trimester Maternal Serum Selenium Concentrations and the Subsequent Risk of Gestational Hypertension

Names of Authors: Bukola R. Omotayo¹, David C. Iwuala¹

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract:
Selenium functions as an essential trace cofactor for glutathione peroxidase enzymes, playing a key role in mitigating systemic endothelial oxidative stress during vascular remodeling. This prospective cohort study investigated the relationship between early-pregnancy maternal serum selenium levels and the subsequent risk of developing gestational hypertension. Serum samples were collected from 600 normotensive nulliparous women between 11 and 13⁺⁶ weeks of gestation, and absolute selenium concentrations were quantified via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Participants were monitored longitudinally until delivery. Fifty-four women (9.0%) developed de novo gestational hypertension after 20 weeks. First-trimester maternal serum selenium levels were significantly lower in the cohort that subsequently developed gestational hypertension compared to those who remained normotensive (58.4 ± 12.2 μg/L vs. 78.6 ± 14.5 μg/L, p < 0.001). Adjusting for baseline maternal age, body mass index, and mean arterial pressure, multivariable logistic regression modeling confirmed that a first-trimester serum selenium level < 65 μg/L was associated with a threefold increase in the risk of gestational hypertension (Odds Ratio [OR] = 3.24; 95% CI, 1.64 to 6.42, p < 0.001). Early maternal serum selenium depletion in the first trimester is independently associated with an elevated risk of subsequent gestational hypertension, highlighting a potential role for early mineral antioxidant risk stratification.

Keywords: Gestational Hypertension; Selenium Deficiency; Trace Elements; Oxidative Stress; Endothelial Dysfunction; First-Trimester Screening.

Manuscript Timeline: Received: August 01, 2026; Revised: September 02, 2026; Accepted: September 12, 2026; Published: September 18, 2026.

Citation: Omotayo BR, Iwuala DC. Association between First-Trimester Maternal Serum Selenium Concentrations and the Subsequent Risk of Gestational Hypertension. International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2026; 14(9): 867–878.

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