Lower educational status interferes with maternal iodine intake during both pregnancy and lactation

Abstract

Objective: To investigate factors affecting conscious iodine intake among pregnant and lactating women in a rural area in Hungary. Methods: Pregnant women were studied and followed during lactation. Urinary and breast milk iodine concentration (UIC and MIC) were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Potential interfering factors, including age, educational status and smoking were assessed. Results: During pregnancy and lactation, mild iodine deficiency was observed; median UIC were 66 and 49 µg/L, respectively. Educational status was found to be a strong determinant of both iodine nutrition and smoking status during pregnancy (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001) and lactation (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01). While smoking and non-smoking lactating mothers had similar concentrations of urinary iodine (median UIC: 47 and 51 µg/L, p = 0.95), the breast milk of smoking mothers contained less iodine (median MIC: 150 and 203 µg/L, p = 0.03). Conclusions: Both low iodine intake and smoking contribute to the higher risk of iodine deficiency in women with lower educational status. In smokers, MIC is often low in spite of normal UIC, presumably due to the iodine transport blocking effect of the cigarette smoke towards breast milk; normal UIC may be misinterpreted as sufficient iodine supply towards the child. Antenatal health promotion strategies should focus on young women with lower educational status, even in regions where sufficient iodine intake has been achieved in non-pregnant adults.

Pajzsmirigyhormon-kezelési szokások Magyarországon.

“…Az elmúlt évtizedekben a populáció jódellátottsága jelentősen javult, de terhesség alatt még mindig nem tökéletes. A rosszabb szociális körülmények, az alacsony edukáltsági fok és az ebben a csoportban gyakoribb dohányzás hozzájárul az elégtelen jódellátottsághoz [32].…”

Essential Trace Elements Status in Portuguese Pregnant Women and Their Association with Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes: A Prospective Study from the IoMum Cohort

“…With regard to the associations between sociodemographic characteristics and ETEs levels, education was positively associated with urinary Mo concentrations. Despite the lack of literature data on Mo levels in pregnancy, a similar positive association between educational level and other ETEs such as iodine has been observed [50,51].…”

Pregnant Dutch Women Have Inadequate Iodine Status and Selenium Intake

“…Highly educated women are more likely to use nutritional supplements and usually eat a healthier diet. A positive association between education level and iodine intake was previously found in Dutch adults [ 62 ], and education also related with iodine status in pregnant Hungarian women [ 63 ]. This suggests that the iodine status of a representative group might be even worse than the one currently reported.…”