Urinary Iodine Excretion as a Predictor of the Iodine
Content of Breast Milk
PRANEET PONGPAEW, M.S.*,
RUNGSUNN TUNGTRONGCHITR, Ph.D.*,
NIYOMSRI VUDHIVAI, M.Sc.*,
ANONG KITJAROENTHAM, M.Sc.*,
CHALOR INTARAKHAO, D.V.M.**,
SASTRI SAOWAKHONTHA, Ph.D.***,
VENUS SUPA WAN, ASCP*,
BENJALUCK PHONRAT, M.Sc.*,
YAOWAMARN CHANTARANIPAPONG, *
PORNRUTSAMI JINTARIDHI, M.Sc.*,
UDOMSAK MAHAWEERAWAT, M.P.H.**,
FRANK PETER SCHELP, Dr. med****
Affiliation : *Department of Tropical Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Tropical Medicine. Mahidol University. Bangkok 10400,
** Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University,
*** Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
****Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Social Medicine, Free University Berlin, Germany.
AbstractEndemic goitre has re-emerged in Thailand. This is particularly dangerous for children
since iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) might negatively influence their intellectual and mental
development. In order to assess the situation, the iodine content of breast milk was determined and a
method is proposed on how to monitor IDDs in lactating mothers later on. Seventy-five lactating
women aged from 15 to 45 years, from 12 villages of 3 districts, namely Chumpae. Sri-
chompu and Pupaman within the mountainous areas of Khon Kaen province, Northeast of Thailand
were investigated. The breast milk from 46.7 per cent of mothers was found to be below recom-
mended standards. In addition, 52.0 per cent of the women investigated had low urinary iodine
excretion. The risk of women with low iodine excretion was 15 fold higher in comparison to
women with sufficient iodine excretion to provide breast milk for their babies with insufficient
iodine content. It is concluded that urinary iodine excretion can be used to monitor the IDDs m
lactating mothers.
Keywords : Urine Iodine, Breast Milk, IDDs, Northeast Thailand
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