title: Iodine status from childhood to adulthood in females living in North-East Italy: Iodine deficiency is still an issue.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This survey aimed to assess iodine status in a female population at different ages, also investigating their eating habits.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) in: 634 females at puberty and 361 fertile women in 246 of whom were considered also their children (134 daughters and 120 sons). All subjects completed a food frequency questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median UIC decreased from childhood to adulthood (median UIC 107, 77 and 55 μg/l in the young girls, females at puberty and fertile women, respectively). Though using iodized salt improved iodine status in all groups, a significantly higher UIC was only noted in females at puberty. Milk consumption significantly increased UIC at all ages. In mother-child (both daughters and sons) pairs, the children's median UIC was nearly twice as high as their mothers' (UIC 115 vs. 57 μg/l). Milk consumption varied significantly: 56% of the mothers and 76% of their children drank milk regularly. The children (both daughters and sons) and mothers who drank milk had UIC ≥100 μg/l in 59 and 34% of cases, respectively, among the pairs who did not drink milk, 44% of the children and 19% of the mothers had UIC ≥100 μg/l. On statistical regression, 3.6% of the variability in the children's UIC depended on that of their mothers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dietary iodine status declines from childhood to adulthood in females due to different eating habits. A mild iodine deficiency emerged in women of child-bearing age that could have consequences during pregnancy and lactation.
authors: Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padua, Via Ospedale n.105, 35128, Padua, Italy. sara.watutantrige@gmail.com.
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Watutantrige Fernando
authors: Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padua, Via Ospedale n.105, 35128, Padua, Italy. elisabettacavedon@yahoo.it.
authors: Elisabetta
authors: E
authors: Cavedon
authors: Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padua, Via Ospedale n.105, 35128, Padua, Italy. davide.nacamulli@sanita.padova.it.
authors: Davide
authors: D
authors: Nacamulli
authors: Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padua, Via Ospedale n.105, 35128, Padua, Italy. dina.pozza@sanita.padova.it.
authors: Dina
authors: D
authors: Pozza
authors: Sports Medicine Division, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy. andrea.emolao@unipd.it.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Ermolao
authors: Sports Medicine Division, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padua, Padua, Italy. marco.zaccaria@unipd.it.
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Zaccaria
authors: Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padua, Via Ospedale n.105, 35128, Padua, Italy. me.girelli@unipd.it.
authors: Maria Elisa
authors: ME
authors: Girelli
authors: Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padua, Via Ospedale n.105, 35128, Padua, Italy. loris.bertazza@unipd.it.
authors: Loris
authors: L
authors: Bertazza
authors: Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padua, Via Ospedale n.105, 35128, Padua, Italy. susibarollo@yahoo.it.
authors: Susi
authors: S
authors: Barollo
authors: Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medicine-DIMED, University of Padua, Via Ospedale n.105, 35128, Padua, Italy. caterina.mian@unipd.it.
authors: Caterina
authors: C
authors: Mian
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D007455:Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000172:deficiency / Q000652:urine*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk; D009043:Motor Activity; D009752:Nutritional Status; D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000652:urine*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D017673:Sodium Chloride, Dietary; C034024:iodized salt; D007455:Iodine
keywords: Childhood; Iodine; Iodized salt; Milk; Pregnancy