Assessment of iodine knowledge, beliefs and practices of pregnant women attending Western Australia’s only tertiary women’s and neonatal hospital

Abstract

Adequate iodine intake during pregnancy is vital for the developing foetus, however, no iodine research involving WA pregnant women has been conducted. This study explored iodine intake, knowledge, beliefs, iodine supplement and iodised salt use in pregnant women attending WA’s only tertiary women’s and neonatal hospital. Median iodine intakes calculated using self-reported dietary iodine and total iodine data both exceeded the EAR (160 ug/day). Median iodine intake from food alone approached the EAR (147.8 ug/day).