Selenium (Se) is essential for selenoprotein synthesis, being thus important for immune and thyroid function, and for antioxidant defence. Some studies have shown that low levels of Se may associate with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). Nevertheless, evidence supporting Se supplementation in pregnant or childbearing-age women is still lacking. In this context, this work aimed to systematically review the most recent scientific evidence to understand the relationship between Se levels and HDP. We performed a systematic review (protocol number: CRD42022310424) with literature of the last decade. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, registers and grey literature were searched to identify studies reporting measurement of Se levels in normotensive and hypertensive pregnant women (supplemented or not with Se). Study quality was assessed using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Study Quality Assessment Tools. Among the thirty included studies, a majority, 61 % (n 19) of the ‘good’ or ‘fair’ studies, reported a negative association between Se and HDP, and some studies, 39 % (n 11) of the ‘good’ or ‘fair’ studies, reported a lack of association. This review provides an important amount of quality evidence suggesting that low Se levels associate with the occurrence of HDP. Nevertheless, the gathered information is not enough to underlie a recommendation for Se supplementation in pregnancy to protect against HDP. Thus, this review emphasises the need for further well-designed randomised controlled trials that may provide blunt evidence regarding the benefits of Se supplementation during pregnancy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the assumed positive association of pre-existent and pregnancy-induced hypertension with the offspring’s weight and length gain in the first 14 months of life. We studied 3994 pregnant women and their offspring in a prospective community-based cohort study, starting between 2003 and 2004 (Amsterdam Born Children and their Development, ABCD study). Questionnaires obtaining information about hypertension during pregnancy were completed, and this was complemented with additional information from the obstetric caregiver. Anthropometry of the offspring was followed during the first 14 months of life. Main outcome measures were presence or absence of growth acceleration in weight or length (normal: ΔSDS ⩽ 0.67 v. growth acceleration: ΔSDS > 0.67). The relation between hypertension during pregnancy and weight and length gain was addressed by logistic regression analyses. We found that pre-existent hypertension was related to growth acceleration in weight and length. After correction for birth weight and pregnancy duration, the effect remained significant for growth acceleration in weight (OR 1.89; 95% CI 1.21–2.97; P < 0.01). Pregnancy-induced hypertension showed similar results, although correction for birth weight and pregnancy duration rendered the associations non-significant. In conclusion, infants of women with pre-existent hypertension during pregnancy more frequently have growth acceleration in weight and length, and yet the mechanisms acting on postnatal growth appear to be different.