Kashin-Beck disease

Kashin-Beck disease is a disorder of the bones and joints.

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Joints effected

The joins effected include the joints in hands and fingers, elbows, knees, and ankles

Epidemiology

It usually affects children and adolescents in certain parts of the world. Tibet has the highest incidence rate of KBD in China. Southeast Siberia and North Korea are other affected areas.

Age at risk

KBD usually involves children ages 5–15. To date, more than a million individuals have suffered from KBD.

Signs and symptoms

• The symptoms of KBD include joint pain, morning stiffness in the joints, disturbances of flexion and extension in the elbows, enlarged inter-phalangeal joints, and limited motion in many joints of the body.
• Death of cartilage cells in the growth plate and articular surface is the basic pathologic feature; this can result in growth retardation and secondary osteoarthrosis.

Etiology

• It is caused by chronic selenium deficiency
• Selenium is a trace mineral essential to good health

Diagnosis

• A diagnosis of selenium deficiency is confirmed by measuring concentrations of selenium in serum or plasma.
• Values less than 70 ng/mL or 0.8 μmol/L suggest synthesis of selenium-associated proteins has not yet reached a plateau and that selenium supplies are limited.

Dietary supplementation

The estimated average requirement (EAR) for selenium

• For healthy children aged 1–3 years or 4–8 years, the currently recommended EAR for selenium is 17 and 23 μg daily, respectively

Food sources

• The major dietary source of selenium is plant foods.
• In the United States, meats and bread are common sources

Varies based on soil

Selenium concentrations in plants generally reflect the concentration of selenium in soils, but some meats and seafood can also contribute dietary selenium

Also see

• Keshan disease
• Selenium

Kashin-Beck disease Resources
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