Community-Based Assessment Of Iodine Status Among Rural Ante-Natal Women – A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Globally more than 1.5 billion people are at the risk of Iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). Iodine is a very essential micronutrient. Iodine deficiency is one of the most common preventable micronutrient deficiencies in the world. Iodine requirement in pregnancy increases by 50%. Recommended dietary iodine intake is higher for pregnant mothers (250μg/L).Iodine deficiency is seen in individuals, whose dietary iodine intake is less than the recommended level. Salt is the most common dietary source to supplement iodine for controlling and elimination of IDD. Urinary iodine excretion (UIE) is a sensitive marker, which is used to estimate the iodine status during pregnancy and in all other age groups. Iodine deficiency in antenatal women leads to congenital abnormality, miscarriage, still birth, low birth weight, perinatal death, neonatal hypothyroidism, affects brain development of the child and also causes endemic cretinism, stunted infant growth and retarded development. To assess the iodine status and dietary iodine status among antenatal women residing in rural field practice area.