Salt-Rich Selenium for Prevention and Control Children with Kashin-Beck Disease: a Meta-analysis of Community-Based Trial

Yu FF, Han J, Wang X, Fang H, Liu H, Guo X · Biological Trace Element Research

Pooled odds ratio for primary prevention in healthy children 0.16 (95% CI 0.08-0.33); for clinical improvement in affected children 6.57 (3.33-12.93); for repair of metaphyseal lesions on X-ray 5.53 (2.92-10.47). Hair selenium was higher in the treated groups (SMD 2.54, 95% CI 1.21-3.87).

Population

2,652 participants across 11 community-based trials in five Chinese provinces

Intervention

Selenium-enriched salt in endemic villages

Comparator

Untreated villages

Limitations

An Expression of Concern was published in Biological Trace Element Research in November 2025 (doi 10.1007/s12011-025-04612-2). Its effect sizes are quoted widely, and it is not treated as support for any claim.