Urinary iodine level assessment during third trimester in a sample of Egyptian pregnant women and its relation to thyroid function

Abstract

Background: Inadequate intakes of iodine during pregnancy may cause thyroid dysfunctions that adversely affect pregnancy outcomes. Aim of the work was to evaluate the urinary iodine level as a marker of iodine status in a sample of Egyptian pregnant women during 3rd trimester and assess its relation to thyroid functions.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 pregnant females at their 3rd trimester aged (18-35) years. They were divided according to their urinary iodine concentration into 3 groups; Group (I): Pregnant females with deficient iodine (<150 μg/l), Group (II): Pregnant females with adequate iodine (150-249) μg/l, Group (III): pregnant females including who have above requirements (250-499 μg/l), and excessive (≥500 μg/l). TSH, free t4, free t3, Anti-Thyroglobulin (TgAb) and anti-thyroid perioxidase (TPOAb), medium urinary Iodine concentration (UIC) by ELISA and neck U/S were performed to all participants.Results: 18% of the pregnant women in our study had iodine deficiency during 3rd trimester (UIC<150 ug/l) whereas 55% of pregnant women had excess iodine level, and adequate iodine level was observed in 27%. Serum TSH was significantly higher in group I with deficient iodine level (p value<0.01). All pregnant women included at group I were suffering from subclinical hypothyroidism. Serum TSH and thyroid volume were inversely correlated with urinary iodine among pregnant females at 3rd trimester (p value<0.01).Conclusions: Serum TSH and thyroid volume were inversely correlated with urinary iodine level among pregnant females at 3rd trimester.

Pregnant Women’s Awareness and Attitude towards Importance of Iodine Intake during Pregnancy at Benha University Hospital

“…Regarding educational level of the studied pregnant women, the finding of the present study displayed that less than half of the studied pregnant women had secondary education. This finding was in agreement with [8], who performed a study about awareness of pregnant women toward Iodine Intake during Pregnancy, and reported that less than half of the studied women had secondary education. In the researcher point of view this may be due to the low socioeconomic status of women who have not completed education because most of the rural families prefer to married their girls than to complete their education and women prefer to stay at home.…”

“…Iodine inadequacy was prevalent among pregnant women based on dietary intake. Intake of dietary supplements containing iodine during pregnancy is recommended, with regular follow up of iodine status for pregnant women [8] .…”