Iodine status of pregnant women in a population changing from high to lower fish and milk consumption

Abstract Objectives Pregnancy is one of the most critical periods for iodine deficiency. The aim of the present study was to assess the iodine status and dietary intake of pregnant women in a population changing from high to lower consumption of milk and fish. Design Cross-sectional observational st...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Public Health Nutrition
Main Authors: Gunnarsdottir, Ingibjorg, Gustavsdottir, Anita G, Steingrimsdottir, Laufey, Maage, Amund, Johannesson, Ari J, Thorsdottir, Inga
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2012
Subjects:
Iceland
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s1368980012001358
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S1368980012001358
Description
Summary:Abstract Objectives Pregnancy is one of the most critical periods for iodine deficiency. The aim of the present study was to assess the iodine status and dietary intake of pregnant women in a population changing from high to lower consumption of milk and fish. Design Cross-sectional observational study. Urine samples were collected for measuring urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and creatinine, and blood samples for measuring serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Frequency of consumption of selected food and beverages was obtained through a semi-quantitative validated FFQ. The difference in the distribution of UIC, ratio of iodine to creatinine (I:Cr) and TSH between groups following recommendations on fish and dairy product intake or not (fish ≥2 times/week as a main meal, diary products ≥2 portions/d) was assessed. Setting Primary Health Care of the Capital Area, Reykjavik, Iceland. Subjects Randomly selected pregnant women (19–43 years old, n 162). Results The median UIC was 180 μg/l, I:Cr 173 μg/g and TSH 1·5 mmol/l. Women who did not consume fish ≥2 times/week and also did not consume dairy products in line with the recommended intake level of ≥2 portions/d had median UIC of 160 μg/l (I:Cr 149 μg/g) compared with 220 μg/l (I:Cr 190 μg/g) in the group following both the recommendations for fish and those for dairy products. Use of dietary supplements in the two groups was similar. Conclusions Iodine status in the population studied was within the optimal range (150–249 μg/d) defined by the WHO.

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