Abstract
Aim: The purpose of our study was to determine urinary iodine as an indicator of iodine supplementation in Roma (Gypsy) neonates compared to majority population neonates. Methods: The groups studied were formed by 30 full-term Roma neonates and 151 majority population neonates.
Iodine was determined from samples of urine collected on the 4th day after delivery, after alkaline ashing, using the Sandell-Kolthoff method. Results: The median of urinary iodine in Roma neonates was 92.15 μg/l urine and in neonates from majority population mothers it was 109.20 μg/l urine.
The mean of urinary iodine in Roma neonates was 114.55 μg/l urine (SD 71.68 μg/l) and in neonates from majority population mothers it was 141.86 μg/l urine (SD 87.42 μg/l). The difference was not statistically significant.
Majority population mothers more frequently consumed nutrition supplements containing iodine as well as fish. Conclusions: Compared to older data, supplementation of neonates with iodine is higher.
However, it does not reach optimum levels. The urinary iodine median in Roma neonates lies in the mild iodine deficiency band.