Iodine intake is still inadequate among pregnant women eight years after mandatory iodination of salt in Turkey

Background : A recent study showed first sign of reduction in goiter prevalence and elimination of iodine deficiency state among school-age children in Turkey after a decade of mandatory iodination of table salt. However, iodine status among pregnant women is a still debated issue in our country. Aim : To investigate iodine status, iodized salt consumption rate, and goiter prevalence in 1 st trimester pregnant women 8 yr after the mandatory iodination. Material/subjects and methods : One hundred and forty-one 1 st -trimester pregnant women who had been followed-up between January and October 2006 in the obstetric outpatient clinics in Turkey were included. Besides a physical examination, subjects underwent laboratory investigations for free T 3 , free T 4 , and urinary iodine concentration (UIC). All subjects completed a questionnaire regarding sociodemographic parameters, use of iodized salt, and pregnancy history. Goiter status was revealed by a palpation method according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Results : In this study, we found that the median UIC of pregnant women was 149.7 μg/l (range 20.9–275.1 μg/l). Almost half of the subjects were below the WHO, United Nations Children’s Fund, and International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders lower median reference limits of 150 μg/l. Total goiter prevalence was 24.8%, of which 9.2% were visible goiters. Among the study patients, 2.1% had subclinical hypothyroidism, and 0.7% had overt hypothyroidism. The rate for iodized salt use among the pregnant women was 95%. Conclusion : Our study revealed that iodine deficiency still remains a serious problem for pregnant women. Based on our results, antenatal follow-up protocols in the primary care setting in Turkey must include iodine supplementation.