Iodine Status in Pregnant Women Living in the Region After the Earthquake in Eastern Mediterranean Turkey (Kahramanmaraş Province): A Cross-Sectional Study

OpenAlex İngilizce

AIM: To assess the iodine status of pregnant women from disadvantaged groups in Kahramanmaraş Province 1 year after the earthquake, including factors affecting iodine status. METHODS: 510 healthy pregnant women were included in the study. A questionnaire was given to pregnant women after the earthquake to assess changes in diet and other social factors. Thyroid function, autoantibodies, thyroglobulin, urinary iodine concentration (UIC), creatinine (Cr) levels, and ultrasound were measured. Thyroid ultrasound was also performed to assess thyroid volume. RESULTS: The median UIC of the participants was 91.27 μg/g Cr (Q1-Q3 = 62.53-142.86). The rate of low iodine status (<150 μg/g Cr) was 77.3% and the incidence of goiter was 19.2%. After the earthquake, 69% of pregnant women lived in urban areas and 31% in rural areas. 11.8% of the areas where they lived were moderately damaged, 11.4% severely damaged, and 5.9% completely destroyed. 15.1% were still living in temporary shelters 1 year after the earthquake. The risk of low UIC was 2.2 times higher for those living in temporary shelters after the earthquake. CONCLUSIONS: Temporary shelters after the earthquake were the main risk factor for low iodine status. We need to support these groups after disasters and reduce the number of people living in temporary shelters.