Iodine deficiency in Benin: Case of pregnant women in the distric of Aplahoué in southwestern Benin

Abstract

Iodine deficiency remains a public health issue worldwide and affects both developed and developing countries. Pregnancy is a risk factor for iodine deficiency in pregnant women due to increased iodine requirements. Therefore, pregnant women are at risk of iodine deficiency even in an area of adequate iodine intake. In Benin, iodine intake is adequate according to the fifth Demographic and Health Survey, although there are pockets of deficiency in some areas. The main objective was to determine the iodine status of pregnant women in the district of Aplahoué in southwestern Benin. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study with prospective data collection from November 25, 2018 to July 31, 2019. Urinary iodine assay was performed by the SandellKolthoff method. The average age of pregnant women was 27 years (± 5 years) with the extremes of 18 and 45 years. They were mainly multigest (77.74%), multiparous (52.66%) and 17.33% of them had a history of miscarriage. The mean ioduria in pregnant women was 206.33 µg/L (± 105.74 µg/L). Almost 30% of pregnant women were iodine deficient (< 150 µg/L) with 12.67% severe deficiency (< 50 µg/L). A correlation was found between the presence of familial goiter, a history of miscarriage and iodine deficiency. Iodine deficiency among pregnant women is a reality in the district of Aplahoué despite the availability of iodized salt. It is therefore essential to consider iodine supplementation for pregnant women in the district of Aplahoué with risk factors for iodine deficiency.