Iodine insufficiency in pregnant women from the State of Sao Paulo

Author(s)

Saueia Ferreira, Sabrina Maria ^[1] ; Navarro, Anderson Marliere ^[2] ; Ribeiro Magalhaes, Patricia Kuenzle ^[1] ; Zanini Maciel, Lea Maria ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Clin Med, Div Endocrinol, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Dept Clin Med, Div Nutr, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Arquivos Brasileiros de Endocrinologia e Metabologia; v. 58, n. 3, p. 282-287, APR 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 19

Abstract

Objective: The intake of adequate amounts of iodine during pregnancy is essential for the neurological development of the fetus. The aim of this study was to assess iodine nutrition status in pregnant women from the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Material and methods: We analyzed urinary iodine concentration (UIC) in 191 pregnant and 58 non-pregnant women matched by age. We used the World Health Organization criteria to define sufficient iodine supply (median UIC: 150-249 mu g/L among pregnant women, and 100-199 mu g/L for non-pregnant women). Results: Median UIC of the pregnant women studied was lower than the recommended value (median = 137.7 mu g/L, 95% CI = 132.9 - 155.9), while non-pregnant women had UIC levels within the appropriate range (median = 190 mu g/L; 95% IC = 159.3-200.1). UIC was below 150 mu g/L in 57% of the pregnant women. Conclusions: Although a larger sample is needed to consolidate these findings, these results raise concerns about the adequacy of the iodine supply of pregnant women in Brazil, especially considering the new determinations of the Brazilian government, which have recently reduced the concentrations of iodine in table salt to 15-45 mg/kg of salt. (AU)