Iodine Status of Breastfed Infants and their Mothers after Sixteen Years of Universal Dietary Salt Iodization Program in Dosso, Niger

Introduction: Universal dietary salt iodization (UDSI) was implemented in Niger in 1996. However, since 2000 there was a slowdown in progress against iodine deficiency. Objective: The objective was to assess iodine nutritional status of infants and their lactating mothers living in Dosso, the state capital of a severe iodine deficiency region in Niger. Methods: The study was centered on 238 full-term infants and their mothers. Some of the data collected were: arm circumference (AC), head circumference (HC) of infant; familial thyroid disease history; the infant feeding method; age of the mother and child; parity, occupation and educational level of the mother. Results: In infants, the urinary iodine concentration (UIC) ranged from 20 to 1600 μg/l with a median of 220 μg/L and 17.23 % had iodine deficiency (UIC0.05). Spearman’s correlation test indicated weak significant correlation between maternal and infant UIC (r = 0,167, p = 0, 01). Conclusion: Iodine status was suboptimal in 70% of mothers and 17% (mild to moderate) of breastfed infants, thus indicating an urgent need to provide iodine supplement for lactating women in Dosso.