Abstract
Iodine deficiency disorders are estimated to affect over 1.9 million people worldwide. Iodine deficiency is especially serious for women during pregnancy and lactation because of the negative consequences for both mother and infant. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) as a population-level indicator of iodine status among rural women farmers of reproductive age (18–45 years) in the province of Prey Veng, Cambodia. A total of 450 women provided a spot morning urine sample in 2012. Of those women, 93% (n = 420) were non-pregnant and 7% (n = 30) were pregnant at the time of collection. UIC was quantified using the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction with modifications. The median UIC of non-pregnant (139 μg/L) and pregnant women (157 μg/L) were indicative of adequate iodine status using the WHO/UNICEF/ICCIDD epidemiological criteria for both groups (median UIC between 100–199 and 150–249 μg/L, respectively). We conclude that non-pregnant and pregnant women in rural Prey Veng, Cambodia had adequate iodine status based on single spot morning urine samples collected in 2012. More research is warranted to investigate iodine status among larger and more representative populations of women in Cambodia, especially in light of recent policy changes to the national program for universal salt iodization.
Highlights
Iodine is an essential nutrient found in the human body as a key component of the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)
Pregnant women and infants are vulnerable to iodine deficiency given their increased iodine requirements
In addition to the consequences of iodine deficiency, excessive iodine intake is a concern as it has been associated with negative outcomes such as impaired thyroid function [7,8]
Summary
Iodine is an essential nutrient found in the human body as a key component of the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These thyroid hormones regulate cellular oxidation, energy metabolism, and the basal metabolic rate, and are critically important for neurological growth and development, during gestation and early infancy [1,2]. Low iodine intake is associated with numerous negative health outcomes collectively called iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), which are estimated to affect over 1.9 million people worldwide [3]. In addition to the consequences of iodine deficiency, excessive iodine intake is a concern as it has been associated with negative outcomes such as impaired thyroid function [7,8]. The FAO/WHO have established daily recommended nutrient intakes (RNI)
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