Iodine status in pregnancy: role of dietary habits and geographical origin.
OBJECTIVE
A study was conducted on iodine status during pregnancy and its dependence on dietary habits, racial and geographical origin, and time since arrival in Italy.


METHODS
We enrolled 322 consecutive pregnant women: 217 Italians, 62 Eastern Europeans and 43 from Northern and Central Africa. All women completed a food frequency questionnaire on their dietary habits. The urinary iodide concentration (UIC) was determined in spot morning urine samples.


RESULTS
In the group as a whole, the median UIC was 83 microg/l; the UIC was < 50 in 33% and of 150 microg/l or more in 27%; it was significantly lower in Africans and Eastern Europeans than in Italians (medians 45 and 46 vs. 100 microg/l, respectively, P = 0.005). For the foreign women, there was a significant correlation between UIC and time since arrival in Italy (r = 0.22, P = 0.02). A significant link emerged between UIC and cow's milk intake (P = 0.0001). Iodine supplements were used by 40% of the women, and UIC were higher in those who did so than in those who did not (median 103 vs. 75 microg/l, P = 0.03), particularly if the latter did not drink milk (median 98 vs. 42 microg/l, P = 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that milk was the only variable influencing UIC (OR 1.29, P = 0.0005).


CONCLUSIONS
(i) Iodine levels are too low among pregnant women in our region, and particularly in foreign women. (ii) Cow's milk intake is their main source of iodine. (iii) Iodine supplementation is mandatory during pregnancy, particularly for women do not drink milk.
Mian
Caterina
C
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Endocrinology Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy. caterina.mian@unipd.it
Vitaliano
Pantaleo
P
Pozza
Dina
D
Barollo
Susi
S
Pitton
Mariangela
M
Callegari
Giovanna
G
Di Gianantonio
Elena
E
Casaro
Anna
A
Nacamulli
Davide
D
Busnardo
Benedetto
B
Mantero
Franco
F
Girelli
Maria Elisa
ME
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005061:Europe, Eastern / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007454:Iodides / Q000652:urine; D007455:Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D007558:Italy; D008875:Middle Aged; D008892:Milk; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
D007454:Iodides; D007455:Iodine