April - June 2008, Volume 4, Issue 2

Hazi G, Gozarium L, Dragotoiu C, Duncea I, Diudea M

Urinary iodine excretion in pregnant women residing in a former goitrogenic area

Acta Endo (Buc) 2008, 4 (2): 225-230
doi: 10.4183/aeb.2008.225

Iodine plays an important biochemical role in human organism; its insufficiency produces disturbances in the synthesis of thyroid hormones and increases the volume of the thyroid gland. Iodine deficiency in pregnant women has severe consequences on maternal\r\nbody and fetal development. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of iodine deficiency in pregnant women from Cluj city and county. Urinary iodine levels were determined by the Sandell-Kolthoff method. A group of 100 pregnant women was studied. The results show a mean iodine concentration at the lower limit of the normal range (107.58 ? 91.16 μg/L), not correlated with the period of pregnancy.

Keywords: iodine deficiency, pregnant women, urinary iodine levels

Correspondence: Georgeta Hazi, Clinic of Endocrinology, Pasteur str, 3-5, 400028, Cluj - Napoca, Romania, georgetahazi@gmail.com