ASSOCIATION OF MATERNAL IODINE INTAKE WITH CONGENITAL HYPOTHYROIDISM Authors: Gopika P And Sreelakshmi M*
ABSTRACT
The iodine intake in a pregnant woman has been closely correlated with development of
transient congenital hypothyroidism which leads to decline in neurocognitive abilities of the
child later in life as the effects are very subtle at birth. Both low and excess ingestion of iodine
has been found to contribute to this cause, although iodine deficiency is more commonly
observed in women of underdeveloped nations. It poses risks not only to the foetus but also to
the mother leading to obstetric complications such as still birth and spontaneous abortions. It
can be prevented using WHO recommended daily iodine supplementation in deficient regions
or decreasing the excess load in groups exposed to high iodine. Programmes designed to screen
the new-born at birth can also help in improving the quality of life of the child. The deficient
iodine condition is managed by administration of levothyroxine in dosage range of 10- 15
mcg/kg/day. Generally, the prognosis of infants starting treatment early in life have a better
neurocognitive outcome as compared to the treated infants late age at a later age. Avoidance of
agents causing iodine exposure has resulted in decrease in the abnormal thyroid function levels.
Keywords: congenital hypothyroidism; transient; iodine deficiency; iodine excess; pregnancy;
supplementation Publication date: 01/06/2024 https://ijbpas.com/pdf/2024/July/MS_IJBPAS_2024_8086.pdfDownload PDFhttps://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2024/13.6.8086