Iodine status during pregnancy and at 6 weeks, 6, 12 and 18 months postâ€partum

Aakre I, Morseth M, Dahl L, Henjum S , Kjellevold M, Moe V , Smith L, Markhus M (2020) Maternal and Child Nutrition doi:10.1111/mcn.13050

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Abstract:

Iodine deficiency during pregnancy and in the postâ€partum period may lead to impaired child development.

Our aim is to describe iodine status longitudinally in women from pregnancy until 18 months postâ€partum. Furthermore, we explore whether iodine status is associated with dietary intake, iodineâ€containing supplement use and breastfeeding status from pregnancy until 18 months postâ€partum. We also assess the correlation between maternal iodine status 18 months postâ€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 postâ€partum (n = 915), 6 months postâ€partum (n = 849), 12 months postâ€partum (n = 733) and 18 months postâ€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 postâ€partum.

We found that iodine status was insufficient in both pregnant and postâ€partum women. The UIC was at its lowermost 6 weeks postâ€partum and gradually improved with increasing time postâ€partum. Intake of milk and use of iodineâ€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 postâ€partum.

Women who exclude milk and dairy products from their diets and/or do not use iodineâ€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.