Which two roles of selenium are described for infants?

Which two roles of selenium are described for infants?

• A. Antioxidant
• B. Central Nervous System development
• C. Bone mineralization support
• D. Antioxidant and Central Nervous System development

Answer: (D)

Selenium serves dual roles in infancy: antioxidant defense and central nervous system development. It becomes part of selenoproteins like glutathione peroxidases that neutralize reactive oxygen species, protecting cells and membranes from oxidative damage during rapid growth. At the same time, selenium supports brain development through selenoproteins involved in neuronal growth, differentiation, myelination, and synaptic function. Bone mineralization isn’t a primary function of selenium, which is why the combination of antioxidant protection and CNS development best describes its roles in infants.

Selenium serves dual roles in infancy: antioxidant defense and central nervous system development. It becomes part of selenoproteins like glutathione peroxidases that neutralize reactive oxygen species, protecting cells and membranes from oxidative damage during rapid growth. At the same time, selenium supports brain development through selenoproteins involved in neuronal growth, differentiation, myelination, and synaptic function. Bone mineralization isn’t a primary function of selenium, which is why the combination of antioxidant protection and CNS development best describes its roles in infants.