Abstract:
Background. Iodine deficiency causes maternal hypothyroidism which can lead to growth, cognitive, and psychomotor deficit in
neonates, infants, and children. This study examined the iodine status of pregnant women in a periurban setting in Ghana.
Methods. This longitudinal study recruited 125 pregnant women by purposeful convenience sampling from the antenatal clinic of
the Sefwi Wiawso municipal hospital in Ghana. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was estimated by the ammonium persulfate
method at an estimated gestational age (EGA) of 11, 20, and 32 weeks. Demographic information, iodized salt usage, and other
clinical information were collected using a questionnaire. Results. The prevalence of iodine deficiency among the pregnant women
was 47.2% at EGA 11 and 60.8% at both EGA of 20 and 32, whereas only 0.8% of participants not using iodized salt had iodine
sufficiency at EGA 32. 18.4%, 20%, and 24% of participants using iodized salt had iodine sufficiency at EGA 11, 20, and 32,
respectively. Conclusion. A high prevalence of iodine deficiency was observed among our study cohort.
