The Role of Iodine During Pregnancy and Its Consequences on Neonatal Thyroid Hormones - A Review

Author(s): Syeda Farha S and Asna Urooj

Abstract: Deficiency of Iodine has numerous adverse effects in humans, known as iodine deficiency disorders, due to inadequate thyroid hormone production. Globally about 2 billion people are affected by iodine deficiency and the most visible sign is endemic goiter resulting in brain damage causing mental retardation, reduced somatic growth and motor function in children. Environmental factors that interfere with the thyroid metabolism play an important role in causation of autoimmune thyroid diseases and the knowledge of these factors influencing thyroid dysfunction can help in understanding and interpreting the results of such studies in a better way. Assessment of iodine include urinary iodine concentration, goiter, newborn TSH, and blood thyroglobulin. Iodine status in pregnancy remains unclear whether iodine intakes are adequate, leading to calls for supplementation of iodine during pregnancy. In most countries, the strategy applied to control iodine deficiency in populations, is monitored carefully by universal salt iodization, the most cost effective ways to contribute to social and economic development. Hence, optimal intake and knowledge of iodine may minimize the amount of thyroid dysfunction in vulnerable populations. This review was an attempt made to summarize the current knowledge on iodine status and its importance during pregnancy.

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