European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Background: Iodine deficiency during pregnancy has substantial consequences; one such is fetal brain damage. Data on the potential effects of mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency on the thyroid function of pregnant women and their newborns are scarce and divergent. Henceforth we tried to find out an association between iodine intake in pregnancy with maternal and neonatal thyroid function. Methods: 350 full term (> 36 week of gestation) pregnant women within their reproductive age group aged 15 to 45 years were selected from attending the Labor room of the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the Medical College and Hospital of Kolkata. Spot urine samples with venous blood samples were collected to select hypothyroid cases. Cord blood from newborn of these hypothyroid mothers for TSH estimation. Cord blood TSH value >20 µIU/ml were selected. Such families were asked to bring their house hold salt in a tight container or sealed packet. Salt iodine content was estimated by the iodometric titration method. Results: Approximately 10% of mother in were iodine deficient, with most of them falling into the “mild iodine deficiency” category. Only 5 babies of these mothers have cord blood TSH >20 µIU/ml.  Among these 5, only 1 (20%) of the households to have less than 15 ppm of iodine content and 4 (80%) households to have greater than 15 ppm of iodine content in their consumed salt. Conclusion: Pregnant women of the study area have iodine repleted. The neonatal thyroid function was also within normal range. The findings of the present study indicate that the iodine supplementation of the salt should be maintained in the area with periodical surveillance, especially about its preservation.