Household Salt Storage and Seasoning Consumption Are Predictors of Insufficient Iodine Status Among Pregnant Women in Southeastern Brazil

Iodine deficiency in pregnancy may lead to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, including impaired child development. Sociodemographic factors and different dietary habits may be related to iodine status in pregnant women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the iodine status and its predictors among pregnant women in a city of Southeastern Brazil. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 266 pregnant women receiving prenatal care in 8 primary health care units. Sociodemographic, obstetric and health, habits of acquisition, storage and consumption of iodized salt, and dietary iodine intake data were collected through a questionnaire. The iodine content was evaluated in urinary iodine concentration (UIC), household salt and seasonings, and drinking water samples. Pregnant women were categorized into three groups according to the UIC, determined by iodine coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS): insufficient (< 150 μg/L), adequate (150–249 μg/L), and more than adequate iodine nutrition (≥ 250 μg/L). The median (p25–p75) UIC was 180.2 μg/L (112.8–262.7). It was found 38% and 27.8% of insufficient and more than adequate iodine nutrition, respectively. Number of gestations, KI content of supplement, alcohol consumption, salt storage, and frequency of using industrialized seasoning were associated to iodine status. Alcohol consumption (OR = 6.59; 95%CI 1.24–34.87), pack the salt in opened container (OR = 0.22; 95%CI 0.08–0.57), and use industrialized seasoning weekly (OR = 3.68; 95% CI 1.12–12.11) were predictors of iodine insufficiency. The pregnant women evaluated have adequate iodine nutrition. Household salt storage and seasoning consumption were risk factors for insufficient iodine status.