Knowledge of the effect of differences in iodine intake levels on public health in areas with no endemic goiter is limited. Groups at risk when iodine intake is relatively low are pregnant and lactating women and their newborns. A prospective randomized study was performed to evaluate the effect of iodine supplementation in an area where the median daily iodine excretion in urine is around 50 micrograms. Fifty-four normal pregnant women were randomized to be controls or to receive 200 micrograms iodine/day from weeks 17-18 of pregnancy until 12 months after delivery. In the control group, serum TSH, serum thyroglobulin (Tg), and thyroid size showed significant increases during pregnancy. These variations were ameliorated by iodine supplementation. Iodine did not induce significant variations in serum T4, T3, or free T4. Cord blood Tg was much lower when the mother had received iodine, whereas TSH, T4, T3, and free T4 levels were unaltered. The results suggest that a relatively low iodine intake during pregnancy leads to thyroidal stress, with increases in Tg release and thyroid size. However, the thyroid gland is able to adapt and keep thyroid hormones in the mother and the child normal, at least under normal circumstances, as evaluated in the present study. It is not known whether this stress is sufficient to be of importance for late development of autonomous thyroid growth and function.

We have carried out a case-controlled study on relations between short stature (i.e. less than 156 cm tall) and problems with childbirth in Danish women. Data obtained from 182 pregnant, short women (short mothers) were compared with those obtained from a control group of 2116 pregnant women who were between 166 and 175 cm tall (control mothers). The prevalence rate for acute cesarean section was three-fold greater in short mothers than in controls, and the prevalence rate for elective cesarean section was twice as high in short mothers as in controls. Moreover, the prevalence rates of intra-uterine asphyxia, intra-uterine growth retardation and low Apgar scores were higher in babies of short mothers than in those of control mothers, despite the increased level of obstetric intervention in the former group. Since the findings show that short stature in pregnant women is an obstetrical risk factor, we recommend that it should be given attention in order to detect early signs of intra-uterine asphyxia and to apply the best form of active management of labor if necessary.

Summary. The course of pregnancy and labour, neonatal outcome and social circumstances, were compared between 87 women with placental abruption and a control group of 5697 women. First and second trimester haemorrhage, amniocentesis, congenital malformations, maternal smoking and a job involving much standing or walking were associated with placental abruption.

In a current investigation of children born in the Arhus area (Denmark) chromosome examinations were made in6, 691 newborns. Of these children, 170 boys had a large Y chromosome (2.6%). The present material was examined using a bi‐variate stratified analysis to eliminate social and simple biological factors that could act as confounders. No increased frequency of malformations was found, and birth weight and length was nearly equal in the probands and the controls. A significantly increased frequency of prostaglandin stimulation of labour was found for the mothers of the Yq + boys. Differencies in the frequency of mechanical disproportion or abnormal presentation could not explain this. The Yq + boys suffered more frequently from intrauterine asphyxia leading to acute Caesarean section. This finding cannot be explained by long‐standing placenta problems alone. A possible mechanism which could link these findings together is suggested, and it is concluded that the boys with Yq + most probably should be regarded as being at a certain risk at the time of birth.

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