title: Iodine deficiency in pregnant women of Lahore.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To know extent of iodine deficiency (ID), role of thyroid enlargement (goiter) as marker of ID and current status of iodized salt intake in pregnant women of Lahore.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional study was carried out at Institute of Chemistry, University of the Punjab, during March 2002 to September 2005. Pregnant women (n = 254) during first trimester attending antenatal clinic participated voluntarily. Iodine intake status was determined by urinary iodine (UI) excretion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  UI excretion ranged from 34 to 142 microg/L and median value was 67 microg/L. According to international criteria, 202 (79.5%) pregnant women were iodine deficient (UI < 100 microg/L) mostly (68.8%) of mild (UI: 50-99 microg/L) degree. Moderate iodine deficiency (MID; UI < 50 microg/L) was found in 63 (24.8%) pregnant women. Among all pregnant women 80 (31.5%) had slightly visible goiter and only 87 (34.2%) were currently taking iodized salt. The difference in UI excretion between goitrous and non-goitrous pregnant women was not significant. Among iodized salt users percentage of women with MID was less, though not significant, as compared to non-users (20.7% Vs 26.9%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  About one-fourth of pregnant women screened in this study are moderately iodine deficient in Lahore. These women and their neonates are at increased risk of iodine deficiency disorders. Goiter is not a good indicator of low iodine intake while iodized salt consumption is beneficial in this regard.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Nuclear Medicine (CENUM), Mayo Hospital, Lahore.
authors.forename: Shan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elahi
authors.forename: Nayab Batool
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Rizvi
authors.forename: Saeed Ahmad
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Nagra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006042:Goiter / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000652:urine; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; C034024:iodized salt; D007455:Iodine