Iodine deficiency in pregnancy is prevalent in vulnerable groups in Denmark

TY - JOUR

T1 - Iodine deficiency in pregnancy is prevalent in vulnerable groups in Denmark

AU - Kirkegaard-Klitbo, Ditte Marie

AU - Perslev, Kathrine

AU - Andersen, Stine Linding

AU - Perrild, Hans

AU - Knudsen, Nils Jakob

AU - Weber, Tom

AU - Rasmussen, Lone Banke

AU - Laurberg, Peter

PY - 2016/11

Y1 - 2016/11

N2 - INTRODUCTION: Iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones. In pregnancy, physiological changes occur that can lead to iodine deficiency and impairment of fetal neurological development. We aimed to assess the iodine intake in pregnant women in Eastern Denmark, compare iodine levels in Eastern and Western Denmark and to identify potentially vulnerable groups. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional cohort study of pregnant Danish women (n = 240). Questionnaires and urine samples were collected at the Ultrasound Clinic, Hvidovre Hospital, Denmark, and urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) (µg/l) were measured. Predictors of iodine supplement use were examined by multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS: The pregnant women from Eastern Denmark had a median age of 30 years and the median gestational week at which they were included in the study was week 19. The majority took iodine-containing supplements (86%). The median UIC was 118 (interquartile range (IQR): 79-196) µg/l in iodine supplement users and 82 (IQR: 41-122) µg/l in non-users (p < 0.001). Predictors of not using iodine supplement in Eastern and Western Denmark were short maternal education, non-Danish origin and pre-pregnancy obesity. CONCLUSIONs: The iodine status in Danish pregnant women was below WHO recommendations. Iodine supplement non-users are at a particular risk of iodine deficiency. Low maternal education, non-Danish origin and pre-pregnancy obesity are predictors of non-iodine supplement use. An increase in iodine fortification may be recommended to improve the iodine status in pregnant Danish women. Funding: none. Trial registration: not relevant.

AB - INTRODUCTION: Iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones. In pregnancy, physiological changes occur that can lead to iodine deficiency and impairment of fetal neurological development. We aimed to assess the iodine intake in pregnant women in Eastern Denmark, compare iodine levels in Eastern and Western Denmark and to identify potentially vulnerable groups. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional cohort study of pregnant Danish women (n = 240). Questionnaires and urine samples were collected at the Ultrasound Clinic, Hvidovre Hospital, Denmark, and urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) (µg/l) were measured. Predictors of iodine supplement use were examined by multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS: The pregnant women from Eastern Denmark had a median age of 30 years and the median gestational week at which they were included in the study was week 19. The majority took iodine-containing supplements (86%). The median UIC was 118 (interquartile range (IQR): 79-196) µg/l in iodine supplement users and 82 (IQR: 41-122) µg/l in non-users (p < 0.001). Predictors of not using iodine supplement in Eastern and Western Denmark were short maternal education, non-Danish origin and pre-pregnancy obesity. CONCLUSIONs: The iodine status in Danish pregnant women was below WHO recommendations. Iodine supplement non-users are at a particular risk of iodine deficiency. Low maternal education, non-Danish origin and pre-pregnancy obesity are predictors of non-iodine supplement use. An increase in iodine fortification may be recommended to improve the iodine status in pregnant Danish women. Funding: none. Trial registration: not relevant.

KW - Adult

KW - Cohort Studies

KW - Cross-Sectional Studies

KW - Denmark

KW - Dietary Supplements

KW - Educational Status

KW - Female

KW - Humans

KW - Iodine

KW - Obesity

KW - Pregnancy

KW - Pregnancy Complications

KW - Prevalence

KW - Risk Factors

KW - Young Adult

KW - Journal Article

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 27808034

SN - 2245-1919

VL - 63

JO - Danish Medical Journal

JF - Danish Medical Journal

IS - 11

M1 - A5286

ER -