Reproductive failure in women living in iodine deficient areas of West Africa

Objectives To investigate the association between iodine status and reproductive failure in a population of West African women. Design Epidemiological survey on iodine deficiency disorders carried out in 1996-1997. Setting The iodine deficient areas of Senegal (Casamance and Senegal Oriental). Design Epidemiological survey on iodine deficiency disorders carried out in 1996-1997 Setting The iodine deficient areas of Senegal (Casamance and Senegal Oriental). Population Four thousand nine hundred and eighty women, aged 10 to 50, of whom 1544 adolescent and 462 pregnant women were examined for thyroid size and urinary iodine excretion. Their iodine status was associated with their fertility rate and reproductive failures. Results Reproductive failure (defined as repeated miscarriages and stillbirth) was associated with low iodine status, with severe iodine deficiency increasing the risk. Poor nutritional status and illiteracy had a significant effect on the outcome of pregnancy: underweight women had a fourfold higher risk, and those who were illiterate an eightfold higher risk, of failed pregnancy, compared with nutritionally healthy, literature women. Conclusions These findings emphasise the need to implement an effective iodine supplementation programme targeted at young and pregnant women in this area of western Africa. They also emphasise the importance of improving the nutritional status of young girls and the crucial role played by education in the prevention of reproductive failure.