Abstract
Iodine deficiency during pregnancy and in the post‐partum period may lead to impaired child development. Our aim is to describe iodine status longitudinally in women from pregnancy until 18 months post‐partum. Furthermore, we explore whether iodine status is associated with dietary intake, iodine‐containing supplement use and breastfeeding status from pregnancy until 18 months post‐partum. We also assess the correlation between maternal iodine status 18 months post‐partum and child iodine status at 18 months of age. Iodine status was measured by urinary iodine concentration (UIC) during pregnancy (n = 1,004), 6 weeks post‐partum (n = 915), 6 months post‐partum (n = 849), 12 months post‐partum (n = 733) and 18 months post‐partum (n = 714). The toddlers' UIC was assessed at 18 months of age (n = 416). Demographic variables and dietary data (food frequency questionnaire) were collected during pregnancy, and dietary data and breastfeeding practices were collected at all time points post‐partum. We found that iodine status was insufficient in both pregnant and post‐partum women. The UIC was at its lowermost 6 weeks post‐partum and gradually improved with increasing time post‐partum. Intake of milk and use of iodine‐containing supplements significantly increased the odds of having a UIC above 100 μg/L. Neither the mothers' UIC, vegetarian practice, nor exclusion of milk and dairy products were associated with the toddlers UIC 18 months post‐partum. Women who exclude milk and dairy products from their diets and/or do not use iodine‐containing supplements may be at risk of iodine deficiency. The women possibly also have an increased risk of thyroid dysfunction and for conceiving children with nonoptimal developmental status.
Highlights
Key MessagesIodine is a micronutrient and an essential component of the thyroid hormones
The same was seen for iodine intake estimated from the urinary iodine concentration (UIC), where the mean estimated intake was 140 μg/day in pregnancy, 87 μg/day 6 weeks post-partum and 133 μg/day 18 months post-partum
The median UIC, both during pregnancy and postpartum was below the epidemiological criteria of adequate iodine nutrition from the World Health Organization (WHO)
Summary
Key MessagesIodine is a micronutrient and an essential component of the thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones regulate a wide range of cellular and physiological functions and are essential for normal child growth and development. Thyroid hormone insufficiencies during fetal and neonatal growth may lead to impaired physical and mental development (Zimmermann, 2011). Iodine deficiency is prevalent in Europe, especially among pregnant women (Iodine Global Network, 2018). Recent studies from Norway confirm insufficient iodine intake, especially in young, pregnant and lactating women (Dahl et al, 2018; Henjum, Aakre, et al, 2018; Henjum, Brantsæter, et al, 2018; Henjum et al, 2017). Two studies have found an association between suboptimal maternal iodine intake during pregnancy and impaired child development, especially in the area of language skills (Abel et al, 2017; Markhus et al, 2018). Breastfed infants depend on sufficient maternal iodine intake for optimal growth and development (Henjum et al, 2017)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
