Evaluation of folic acid and iodide supplementation in women with Turkish migration background before and during pregnancy

  • 15.02.2016
  • English Articles
  • Jörg Hampshire
  • Barbara Pfindel
  • Barbara Freytag-Leyer

Peer-reviewed | Manuscript received: May 18, 2015 | Revision accepted: October 06, 2015

Introduction

During pregnancy, the requirement of folate and iodide among other nutrients is increased compared to non-pregnant women. Mostly it cannot be met by food intake. Therefore, the German Nutrition Society (DGE) and the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), inter alia, recommend the ingestion of suitable dietary supplements in addition to a folate-rich and iodine-adequate diet [1, 2].

The intake recommendations for iodine for women aged 19–51 years are 200 μg/day, 230 μg/day for pregnant women [3]. According to the results of the National Nutrition Survey II, the intake of iodine is 70–78 μg/day in women aged 19 – 50 years, whereby iodised salt and foods produced with iodised salt are not included [4]. Taking into account a general fortification of all mixtures and recipes with iodised salt, an intake of 173–200 μg/day iodine (age group 19–50 years) is calculated. It can be assumed that the real intake of iodine lies within the range with and without the consumption of iodised salt [5]. The intake of iodine is below the reference value. Even in non-pregnant women, the intake of iodine can be classified as critical. Women using supplements with iodide have an intake of 160 μg/day, which is, however, below the corresponding DACH reference value [4]. From the beginning of their pregnancy, healthy pregnant women should supplement 100 (to 150) μg iodide once a day. In case of thyroid diseases, the physician in charge is to be consulted [6].

Summary

Iodine and folate are of crucial importance for pregnant women. 65 pregnant women and mothers with Turkish migration background living in Fulda were interviewed concerning their knowledge in the necessity and the usage of iodine and folic acid supplements during pregnancy. 89 % of the respondents stated that they had been using at least one supplement before/during pregnancy. This proportion is relatively high but differs essentially from the proportion of women who had been taking folic acid and iodide according to the recommendations (27 %), which is particularly up to the low preconceptional rates. The results indicate a need for information on adequate supplementation especially before conception in women with Turkish migration background in Fulda.

Keywords: iodide, folic acid, pregnancy, migration background, dietary supplements



Full text PDF (free access)

Das könnte Sie interessieren
The “meal dictatorship” or: What should children (be allowed to) eat in day care centers... weiter
Iodized salt use in packaged food weiter
What percentage of people adhere to vegetarian and vegan diets in Germany? weiter
Could collagen supplementation improve bodily functions? weiter
Fasting during chemotherapy weiter
Reducing emotional eating through mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioural training weiter