Salt Iodization: Meeting the Needs of Pregnancy, Lactation and Infancy
Salt Iodization: Meeting the Needs of Pregnancy, Lactation and Infancy
The purpose of this study is to determine whether universal salt iodization (USI) meets the
 iodine requirements of pregnant women, lactating women and infants.
Because pregnant women, lactating women and infants are the groups most vulnerable to iodine
 deficiency and its irreversible consequences, programs should focus on these groups. But like
 other mass fortification strategies, it is uncertain whether USI can meet the increased
 dietary requirements of pregnant women, lactating women and infants. Objective of this study
 to test whether USI can meet the dietary requirements of iodine in women of reproductive age,
 pregnant women, lactating women and infants up to 2 years of age without causing excess
 iodine intake in school children and non-pregnant non-lactating women. The study hypothesis
 is that USI, when fortified at adequate levels and applied to all salt consumed, including
 both household salt and salt used for processed foods, provides adequate dietary iodine for
 all population groups, except for weaning infants; while not posing any risk of excessive
 iodine intakes in other age groups.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  living at study area for at least 6 months

 -  generally healthy

 -  no chronic medication

 -  no history of thyroid disease in the family

 -  no use of iodine containing dietary supplements during the last 6 months

 -  no use of iodine containing disinfectants for the last 6 months

 -  no use of X-ray / CT contrast agent or iodine containing medication within the last
 year

 -  in addition for women of reproductive age, pregnant women and breastfeeding women: age
 between 18 and 44 years old

 -  in addition for pregnant women: healthy pregnancy, singleton pregnancy (no twins or
 multiple pregnancy)

 -  in addition for breastfeeding women and breastfed infants: healthy pregnancy,
 singleton pregnancy (no twins or multiple pregnancy), baby born at full-term (in
 pregnancy week 38 to 42), the baby had normal birth weight (≥ 2500 g), baby not older
 than 6 months, baby currently completely breastfed (except for water, tea and juices)

 -  in addition for toddlers: between 6 and 24 months old