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Iodine intake in pregnancy in Ireland — A cause for concern?

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Abstract

Background

Adequate dietary iodine intake is necessary to maintain maternal thyroid function at a level permitting normal neuropsychological development of the foetus.

Aims and Methods

To determine dietary iodine status by measuring urinary iodine excretion (UIE), proportional to dietary intake, in Irish mothers during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Results

Median UIE showed seasonal variations, being lower in summer than in winter. The median values in pregnant women were, summer 45μg/l, winter 68μg/l. Equivalent values for controls were 43 and 91μg/l respectively UIE required to achieve WHO recommended daily iodine intakes would be 120–180μg/l. In the Irish subjects UIE values suggestive of iodine deficiency (<50μg/l) were observed in 55% of pregnant women tested in summer and 23% in winter. Dairy milk iodine, a major dietary iodine source, showed similar variation.

Conclusions

While there is as yet no available evidence of widespread thyroid hypofunction in the Irish obstetric population, the findings are a cause of concern, which if confirmed by a more comprehensive investigation, may indicate the need for iodine prophylaxis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin and National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, Dublin

    Z. Nawoor, R. Burns, D. F. Smith, S. Sheehan, C. O’Herlihy & P. P. A. Smyth

Authors
  1. Z. Nawoor
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  2. R. Burns
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  3. D. F. Smith
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  4. S. Sheehan
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  5. C. O’Herlihy
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  6. P. P. A. Smyth
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Correspondence to P. P. A. Smyth.

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Nawoor, Z., Burns, R., Smith, D.F. et al. Iodine intake in pregnancy in Ireland — A cause for concern?. Ir J Med Sci 175, 21–24 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03167943

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