Le statut iodé des femmes enceintes dans une zone d’endémie goitreuse à l’origine de dysthyroïdie dans la ville de Man (République de Côte d’Ivoire)

Abstract

Introduction

In Côte d’Ivoire, the prevalence of hypothyroidism is 11.3% in the general population. There have been no studies of iodine levels in pregnant women, in whom iodine deficiency or excess is responsible for dysthyroidism and potentially severe complications.

Main objective

To assess the prevalence of dysthyroidism and iodine status in pregnant women.

Material and method

Descriptive cross-sectional study over 1 month (October 2023), measuring TSH, 24-hour ioduria and the iodine content of cooking salt in FE in 5 health facilities in the town of Man.

Results

One hundred and six FE were included: mean age 27 years ± 6.5 (min/max: 14/41). Biological hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism were found respectively in 6.6% and 8.5% of EFs according to the ATA 2017 standard. Twenty-four-hour ioduria was below WHO standards (150 to 249 μg/L) in 66% of FEs (median/extreme: 130 μg/L/[80; 400]). Iodine deficiency assessed by ioduria/24 h was correlated with the iodine content of cooking salt (76.5% of salt < 15 ppm, 23.5% within the standard (WHO N:15 to 40 ppm). Sixty-five percent (65%) of EFs had ioduria/24 h below the recommended standard (P = 0.03).

Conclusion

The high prevalence of hypothyroidism in FE is associated with iodine deficiency in cooking salt, the main source of iodine intake, in areas far from the sea. Preventive measures in line with UNICEF recommendations (systematic iodine supplementation) should be implemented.