IODINE DEFICIENCY IN PREGNANT WOMEN LIVING IN WESTERN TURKEY (EDIRNE).

Objective: Data about iodine status in pregnant women in Turkey is not sufficient. We aimed to determine the iodine status, goiter prevalence, iodized salt consumption among first trimester pregnant women living in Edirne.

Design And Setting: Cross-sectional study was performed on pregnant women living in Edirne.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 275 pregnant women in their first trimester were examined regarding iodized salt use, median urinary iodine concentration (UIC), presence or absence of goitre and thyroid function. Goitre status was determined by palpation. Participants filled out a questionnaire, which included questions regarding sociodemographic features, iodized salt consumption, knowledge, and behavior regarding iodine deficiency. UIC was measured using colorimetric method based on Sandell-Kolthoff reaction. Thyroid hormones and TSH were measured by chemiluminescence immunoassays.

Results: While the proportion of iodized salt use was 96.6%, UIC was below 150 μg/L in 88.4 % of the women. The median UIC was 77 μg/L, indicating insufficient iodine intake. Total goitre rate was 19.3%.

Conclusions: Our study shows that iodine deficiency is a serious problem among pregnant women in Edirne. We suggest that pregnant women living in Edirne should be supplemented by iodine-containing preparations in addition to iodized salt.