[Treatment of iodine deficiency in pregnant women in the Teplice District]

Abstract

Background: Sufficient supply of the population with iodine becomes again a world problem. Particularly the iodine deficiency during pregnancy may have serious negative effects on the foetal development. Estimation of the level of iodine supply of pregnant women became therefore the aim of the study. Investigation was done in the district Teplice.

Methods and results: The cohort was formed by 348 pregnant women (age 17 to 45 years), who received during the pregnancy iodine supplementation in the daily dose of 130 respective 100 micrograms (Materna, Jod 100). Control group consisted of 231 women (age 18 to 35 years). Average ioduria of pregnant women at the beginning of gestation (not affected by supplementation) was 127 micrograms I/l, median 115 micrograms I/l of urine. Ioduria of non-pregnant women of the control group was 100 micrograms I/l median 84 micrograms I/l of urine. Low ioduria (below 100 micrograms I/l) was found in 40% of pregnant and 62% fertile women of the control group. Supplementation resulted in the statistically significant increase of ioduria in the 20th week (average value was 186 micrograms I/l, median 156 micrograms I/l); low values had found only 20% of women. The fourth day after delivery, ioduria was statistically lower than in the 20th week (121 micrograms I/l, median 99 micrograms I/l), however, 76% of women finished with supplementation after the childbirth. Values of ioduria were still higher in supplemented than in non-supplemented women.

Conclusions: Iodine intake in the group of pregnant and non-pregnant women was not optimal. Even during the recommended iodine supplementation (100 and 130 micrograms), 20% of women had lower values of ioduria. Health education, which first of all involves the risk groups, is therefore highly recommended.