Abstract
Background Iodine deficiency causes maternal hypothyroidism which can lead to growth, cognitive, and psychomotor deficit in neonates, infants, and children. This study examined the iodine status of pregnant women in a periurban setting in Ghana. Methods This longitudinal study recruited 125 pregnant women by purposeful convenience sampling from the antenatal clinic of the Sefwi Wiawso municipal hospital in Ghana. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was estimated by the ammonium persulfate method at an estimated gestational age (EGA) of 11, 20, and 32 weeks. Demographic information, iodized salt usage, and other clinical information were collected using a questionnaire. Results The prevalence of iodine deficiency among the pregnant women was 47.2% at EGA 11 and 60.8% at both EGA of 20 and 32, whereas only 0.8% of participants not using iodized salt had iodine sufficiency at EGA 32. 18.4%, 20%, and 24% of participants using iodized salt had iodine sufficiency at EGA 11, 20, and 32, respectively. Conclusion A high prevalence of iodine deficiency was observed among our study cohort.
Highlights
Iodine is an essential nutrient used in the synthesis of thyroid hormones that are important for metabolism and the development of the nervous system [1]
Iodine deficiency during pregnancy has been associated with maternal hypothyroxinemia that is related to growth, cognitive, and psychomotor deficit in neonates, infants, and children [6]
One hundred twenty- ve (125) pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of the Sefwi Wiawso municipal hospital completed the study. ese pregnant women were recruited in the rst trimester and followed-up through the second and third trimesters
Summary
Iodine deficiency causes maternal hypothyroidism which can lead to growth, cognitive, and psychomotor deficit in neonates, infants, and children. is study examined the iodine status of pregnant women in a periurban setting in Ghana. Is study examined the iodine status of pregnant women in a periurban setting in Ghana. Is longitudinal study recruited 125 pregnant women by purposeful convenience sampling from the antenatal clinic of the Sefwi Wiawso municipal hospital in Ghana. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was estimated by the ammonium persulfate method at an estimated gestational age (EGA) of 11, 20, and 32 weeks. E prevalence of iodine deficiency among the pregnant women was 47.2% at EGA 11 and 60.8% at both EGA of 20 and 32, whereas only 0.8% of participants not using iodized salt had iodine sufficiency at EGA 32. 18.4%, 20%, and 24% of participants using iodized salt had iodine sufficiency at EGA 11, 20, and 32, respectively. A high prevalence of iodine deficiency was observed among our study cohort
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