Iodine status in pregnancy

During pregnancy, maternal iodine needs are increased and iodine deficiency during pregnancy might lead to pregnancy complications and can affect brain and cognitive development of the foetus. Despite iodine fortification programs, it has been shown that iodine intake in the Netherlands is declining, implicating that also pregnant women are at risk for iodine deficiency. Here we propose to detemine iodine deficiency during pregnancy in the Netherlands, using the golden standard technique of a 24h urine collection combined with serum thyroglobulin concentrations. To this end, in this observational study we will measure the 24h median urinary iodine concentration corrected for urinary volume and creatinin levels in pregnant women, and compare these values with Thyroglobulin (Tg)-concentrations in serum (as measure for iodine intake over a longer period of time). To collect these data, women will visit the research center for a single blood draw (15ml), collect urine for 24h at home and fill out a food-intake questionnaire specific for iodine-rich foods/supplements.

Pregnant women in the Netherlands do not reach adequate iodine intake

3 days during the first trimester in pregnancy. Day 1: visit 1 (30 min), Day 2: urine collection at home, Day 3: visit 2 (10 min)

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