Abstract

URINARY IODINE CONCENTRATION (UIC) μG/L DETERMINATION AT EARLY GESTATION IN PREGNANT WOMEN

Nagabharathi M.*, Dr. K. Eswar Kumar and Dr. K. Prasad

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Abstract

Background: Daily requirement of iodine increases during pregnancy making pregnant women a high-risk group for iodine deficiency disorders. The limited available literature shows that even in iodine sufficient population, pregnant women are iodine deficient. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the current iodine nutrition status among pregnant women in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh. Materials and Methods: Pregnant women were recruited from Victoria hospital, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Consecutive sampling strategy was followed to recruit 153 pregnant women at early gestation. Urinary iodine estimation was done using UV-spectroscopic methodto assess the iodine status. The study was approved by Institute Ethics Committee, King George Hospital, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Results: Out of the total 153 pregnant women, 65.6% were using adequately iodized salt. Median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) for the pregnant women was 246(50, 498) μg/L. 20.6% of pregnant women had insufficient iodine status (UIC 80 % adequately iodized salt coverage and excess urinary iodine levels may cause thyroid dysfunction in study population.

Keywords: Urinary iodine concentration, Iodine status, iodine deficiency.