Apport iodé en France: prévention de la carence iodée au cours de la grossesse et l’allaitement

A clear trade-off exists between the theoretical efficiency and acceptability of dietary changes that improve nutrient adequacy during early pregnancy in French women: Combined data from simulated changes modeling and online assessment survey

Background

During pregnancy, the diet of a mother-to-be should be adapted to meet increases in nutrient requirements. We analyzed the theoretical efficiency and acceptability of different types of tailored dietary changes for pregnant women.

Methods

The nutrient adequacy of the diet was evaluated using the PANDiet score, by comparing the nutrient intakes of 344 non-pregnant premenopausal women (18–44y) with dietary reference intakes for the first trimester of pregnancy. Simulations were performed to evaluate the theoretical efficiency of three types of ten successive tailored dietary changes in improving nutrient adequacy, with graded difficulty in implementation. The acceptability (declared intention to use in the diet) of most efficient dietary changes was evaluated during an online randomized study including 115 French pregnant women (22–41y).

Results

Modifying the amount consumed of foods (type-1) did not modify the food repertoire and resulted in the smallest theoretical efficiency (increase in the PANDiet score of 9.8±0.2 points), but changes were the most acceptable (probability of the intention to use: 0.30–0.78). Conversely, replacing food items by items from the same group or eaten at the same time (type-3) broadened the food repertoire (3.6±1.3 food subgroups added) and resulted in the greatest theoretical efficiency (+23.9±0.3) but changes were the least acceptable (0.07–0.23). Replacing food items within the same subgroup (type-2) slightly broadened the food repertoire (+8.0±1.3 foods) and resulted in moderate theoretical efficiency (+14.8±0.2) and intermediate acceptability (0.11–0.35).

Conclusion

A clear trade-off exists between the theoretical efficiency and acceptability of dietary changes, with a graded broadening of the food repertoire.

Neurocognitive outcomes of children secondary to mild iodine deficiency in pregnant women

Iodine deficiency is the most important preventable cause of brain damage worldwide. During pregnancy, severe iodine deficiency causes endemic cretinism, whereas mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency impairs neurocognitive function of the offspring. Numerous reports demonstrate the impact of iodine supplementation on prevention of cretinism, and recent studies evaluate the effects of iodine prophylaxis on neurocognitive development in children of women with mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency. Iodine prophylaxis is generally well tolerated without side effects for the pregnant women and the offspring. In France, the iodine status was recently considered as satisfactory in children and adult population, but regional studies conducted during the last two decades have shown that healthy women are mild-to-moderately iodine deficient during pregnancy. According to recent World Heath Organization guidelines, systematic iodine prophylaxis is recommended in women planning a pregnancy, during gestation and lactation in order to prevent maternal, neonatal and infantile consequences of mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency.

A cross-sectional survey of urinary iodine status in Latvia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

A nationwide survey of schoolchildren was conducted to detect regional differences in urinary iodine excretion in Latvia and to compare the results with data from the newborn thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) screening database as well with the results of a similar study performed in Latvia 10 years ago.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional school-based cluster survey of 915 children aged 9-12 years in 46 randomly selected schools in all regions of Latvia. Urine samples, questionnaires on the consumption of iodized salt and information on socioeconomic status were collected. TSH levels in newborns were also measured.

RESULTS

The median creatinine-standardized urinary iodine concentration (UIC) in our study was 107.3μg/g Cr. UIC measurements indicative of mild iodine deficiency were present in 31.6%, moderate deficiency in 11.9% and severe deficiency in 2.8% of the participants. The prevalence of iodine deficiency was the highest in the southeastern region of Latgale and the northeastern region of Vidzeme. The prevalence of TSH values >5mIU/L followed a similar pattern. The self-reported prevalence of regular iodized salt consumption was 10.2%. Children from urban schools had a significantly lower UIC than children from rural schools.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that although the overall median UIC in Latvian schoolchildren falls within the lower normal range, almost 50% of the schoolchildren are iodine deficient, especially in urban schools and in the eastern part of Latvia. The absence of a mandatory salt iodization program puts a significant number of children and pregnant women at risk.

Evaluation of Iodine Content in Table Salt Consumed in Democratic Republic of Congo

Background

DR Congo has adopted universal salt iodization to reduce disorders due to iodine deficiency. Since 1994, only iodized salt can be imported, but there is currently no routine monitoring of the iodine content of distributed salt. It is therefore unclear if iodine deficiency remains a health problem, particularly in pregnant women.

Objective

To evaluate the iodine content of salt in households of pregnant women in Lubumbashi.

Methods

We conducted a survey of the iodine content of salt consumed by 375 women presenting at prenatal consultations in three socially different areas of Lubumbashi: urban, semiurban, and rural. The women were questioned about where they purchased salt, how it was packaged, and how they stored the salt, and each woman provided a sample of salt for determination of its iodine content by the iodometric method.

Results

Most women (84.3%) bought salt in the public markets, mainly in bulk (93.6%); 80.0% stored salt in plastic boxes. The median iodine content was 27.5 ppm (IQR, 16.0–38.1) in urban areas, 19.0 ppm (IQR, 7.4–31.7) in semiurban areas, and 20.1 ppm (IQR, 5.3–31.7) in rural areas. The iodine content was less than 15 ppm (minimum threshold) in 36.3% of samples, including 13.9% without any detectable iodine. The iodine content was above 40 ppm (maximum limit) in 18.9% of samples. Only 44.8% of salt samples had adequate iodine content.

Conclusions

The population of Lubumbashi remains at risk for hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. An effective and regular system for the control of iodine content in distributed salt is needed in DR Congo.

Guidelines of the French society of endocrinology for the management of thyroid nodules

The present document is a follow-up of the clinical practice guidelines of the French Society of Endocrinology, which were established for the use of its members and made available to scientific communities and physicians. Based on a critical analysis of data from the literature, consensuses and guidelines that have already been published internationally, it constitutes an update of the report on the diagnostic management of thyroid nodules that was proposed in France, in 1995, under the auspices of the French National Agency for Medical Evaluation (l'Agence nationale d'évaluation médicale). The current guidelines were deliberated beforehand by a number of physicians that are recognised for their expertise on the subject, coming from the specialities of endocrinology (the French Thyroid Research Group) and surgery (the French Association for Endocrine Surgery), as well as representatives from the fields of biology, ultrasonography, cytology and nuclear medicine. The guidelines were presented and submitted for the opinion of the members of the Society at its annual conference, which was held in Nice from 7-10 October 2009. The amended document was posted on the website of the Society and benefited from additional remarks of its members. The final version that is presented here was not subjected to methodological validation. It does not claim to be universal in its scope and will need to be revised in concert with progress made in technical and developmental concepts. It constitutes a document that the Society deems useful for distribution concerning the management of thyroid nodules, which is current, efficient and cost effective.

Nutritional status of iodine in pregnant women in Catalonia (Spain): study on hygiene-dietetic habits and iodine in urine

Background

It is a priority to achieve an adequate nutritional status of iodine during pregnancy since iodine deficiency in this population may have repercussions on the mother during both gestation and post partum as well as on the foetus, the neonate and the child at different ages. According to the WHO, iodine deficiency is the most frequent cause of mental retardation and irrreversible cerebral lesions around the world. However, few studies have been published on the nutritional status of iodine in the pregnant population within the Primary Care setting, a health care level which plays an essential role in the education and control of pregnant women. Therefore, the aim of the present study is: 1.- To know the hygiene-dietetic habits related to the intake of foods rich in iodine and smoking during pregnancy. 2.- To determine the prevalence of iodine deficiency and the factors associated with its appearance during pregnancy.

Methods/design

We will perform a cluster randomised, controlled, multicentre trial. Randomisation unit: Primary Care Team. Study population: 898 pregnant women over the age of 17 years attending consultation to a midwife during the first trimester of pregnancy in the participating primary care centres. Outcome measures: consumption of iodine-rich foods and iodine deficiency. Points of assessment: each trimester of the gestation. Intervention: group education during the first trimester of gestation on healthy hygiene-dietetic habits and the importance of an adequate iodine nutritional status. Statistical analysis: descriptive analysis of all variables will be performed as well as multilevel logistic regression. All analyses will be done carried out on an intention to treat basis and will be fitted for potential confounding factors and variables of clinical importance.

Discussion

Evidence of generalised iodine deficiency during pregnancy could lead to the promotion of interventions of prevention such as how to improve and intensify health care educational programmes for pregnant women.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01301768