జర్నల్ ఆఫ్ ప్రెగ్నెన్సీ అండ్ చైల్డ్ హెల్త్

నైరూప్య

Iodine Status during Pregnancy among Tea Garden Workers in Assam and its Effect on the Foetus

Dutta HK and Baruah M

Iodine deficiency during pregnancy causes wide spectrum of disorders in the fetus. Tea garden workers in Assam are known to have high prevalence of endemic goiter and congenital malformations. The present study is aimed to evaluate the iodine status of pregnant tea garden workers and its effect on the fetus. Urinary iodine (UI) level in casual urine samples was estimated in each trimester in 156 pregnant and 160 age-matched non-pregnant women from the same community. Although normal UI values were found in all pregnant women, significantly higher values were noted during the second trimester and among the older women. 12 babies were born preterm. Malformations were noted among 16 babies. 2 women in the control group received treatment for hypothyroid status. Normal UI recorded in the study may be because of universal consumption of iodized salt. Factors other than iodine may be responsible for the malformations noted in this study.