Reproductive failure in women living in iodine deficient areas of West Africa

Abstract

Objectives To investigate the association between iodine status and reproductive failure in a population of West African women. Design Epidemiological survey on iodine deficiency disorders carried out in 1996–1997. Setting The iodine deficient areas of Senegal (Casamance and Senegal Oriental). Population Four thousand nine hundred and eighty women, aged 10 to 50, of whom 1544 adolescent and 462 pregnant women were examined for thyroid size and urinary iodine excretion. Their iodine status was associated with their fertility rate and reproductive failures. Results Reproductive failure (defined as repeated miscarriages and stillbirth) was associated with low iodine status, with severe iodine deficiency increasing the risk. Poor nutritional status and illiteracy had a significant effect on the outcome of pregnancy: underweight women had a fourfold higher risk, and those who were illiterate an eightfold higher risk, of failed pregnancy, compared with nutritionally healthy, literature women. Conclusions These findings emphasise the need to implement an effective iodine supplementation programme targeted at young and pregnant women in this area of western Africa. They also emphasise the importance of improving the nutritional status of young girls and the crucial role played by education in the prevention of reproductive failure.

Inadequate status of iodine nutrition among pregnant women residing in three districts of Niamey, the Niger Republic's capital

“…Severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy also increases the risk of abortion, perinatal mortality, premature birth or low birthweight (Pharoah et al . ; Dillon & Milliez ).…”

Increment of Iodine Content in Vegetable Plants by Applying Iodized Fertilizer and the Residual Characteristics of Iodine in Soil

“…Inadequate dietary iodine intake can cause insufficient thyroxin production that leads to iodine deficiency disorder (IDD). The clinical manifestations of IDD include goiter, hypothyroidism, mental retardation, deaf mutism, reproductive impairment, and decreased child survival [2][3][4].…”

Seasonality in urinary and household salt iodine content among pregnant and lactating women of the plains of Nepal

“…Iodine deficiency during pregnancy appears to increase the risk of abortion, stillbirth, low birth weight, and infant mortality (Pharoah et al, 1971;Pharoah, 1972;Chaouki & Benmiloud, 1994;Cobra et al, 1997;Dillon & Milliez, 2000) and can lead to cretinism in infants exposed to severe iodine deficiency in utero. Stunted growth and neuromotor, intellectual, behavioral and cognitive impairment have been described in children whose mothers were moderately to severely iodine deficient during pregnancy (Pharoah & Connolly, 1987;Fierro-Benitez et al, 1988;Azizi et al, 1995).…”