EVALUATION OF DIETARY IODINE STATUS DURING PREGNANCY IN URMIA COUNTY: ASSOCIATIONS TO THE QUALITY OF IODINATED-SALT AND UTILIZATION

Nearly 38 million newborns are at risk of iodine deficiency and related disorders (IDDs) annually. Universal salt iodination strategy is the most cost-effective method to combat IDDs. The aims of this study were to evaluate dietary iodine status in pregnant women attending local healthy authority services in Urmia County and its associations with table-salt iodine content and household usage.

Materials & Methods: Pregnant women (n= 490) at 1st trimester were recruited by cluster-sampling from 5 urban- and 7 rural districts. Subjects were interviewed and relevant information was collected. Household salt samples as well as fasting urine samples were collected during 1st visit.

Results: Distribution of rural- and urban inhabitants were 204 (41.6%) and 286 84.6%, respectively. Median UIE for entire population was 73.5 µg/L. Medians UIE for urban- and rural districts were 76 µg/L and 64 µg/L. The difference failed to reach statistical significance. When the subjects were grouped according to WHO criteria for iodine status it was found that 87% of the pregnant women were classified as iodine deficient. 92% of the subjects had declared that they were using iodinate salt for their cooking whilst 96% of households claimed using iodinate salt at the dinner table. Percentage of properly kept iodinate samples was 49%. 16% of households stated that iodinated salt was added at the end of cooking.

Conclusion: High prevalence of iodine deficiency among pregnant women in Urmia County indicates that the current USI strategy does cover the demand of both mothers and fetus. Thus, extra iodine is needed to maintain adequate iodine store during gestation in regions with border-line iodine sufficiency.