Household Salt Storage and Seasoning Consumption Are Predictors of Insufficient Iodine Status Among Pregnant Women in Southeastern Brazil.

Iodine deficiency in pregnancy may lead to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, including impaired child development. Sociodemographic factors and different dietary habits may be related to iodine status in pregnant women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the iodine status and its predictors among pregnant women in a city of Southeastern Brazil. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 266 pregnant women receiving prenatal care in 8 primary health care units. Sociodemographic, obstetric and health, habits of acquisition, storage and consumption of iodized salt, and dietary iodine intake data were collected through a questionnaire. The iodine content was evaluated in urinary iodine concentration (UIC), household salt and seasonings, and drinking water samples. Pregnant women were categorized into three groups according to the UIC, determined by iodine coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS): insufficient (< 150 µg/L), adequate (150-249 µg/L), and more than adequate iodine nutrition (≥ 250 µg/L). The median (p25-p75) UIC was 180.2 µg/L (112.8-262.7). It was found 38% and 27.8% of insufficient and more than adequate iodine nutrition, respectively. Number of gestations, KI content of supplement, alcohol consumption, salt storage, and frequency of using industrialized seasoning were associated to iodine status. Alcohol consumption (OR = 6.59; 95%CI 1.24-34.87), pack the salt in opened container (OR = 0.22; 95%CI 0.08-0.57), and use industrialized seasoning weekly (OR = 3.68; 95% CI 1.12-12.11) were predictors of iodine insufficiency. The pregnant women evaluated have adequate iodine nutrition. Household salt storage and seasoning consumption were risk factors for insufficient iodine status.

Calcium intake in high-risk pregnant women assisted in a high-complexity hospital.

Pregnancy is characterized by physiological changes. One of these changes involves calcium. During this period, an increased in calcium excretion occurs as well as an increased intestinal absorption and renal reabsorption, so that the adequate growth and development of the fetus can happen. Low calcium intake is associated with chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, which have negative impact on both mother and fetus. This study aimed to evaluate the average calcium intake of high-risk pregnant women, assisted in a clinic of high complexity service and correlated with chronic diseases. To perform this study, it was used a food frequency questionnaire. As a result, high-risk pregnant women showed daily calcium intake lower than the recommended by DRI during this period. Hypertensive or diabetic pregnant women showed lower average intake of calcium. Significant association between calcium intake and nutritional status was not observed. Calcium supplementation was present, however, at low percentage in the groups with hypertensive pregnant women. To analyze the relation between calcium intake and the comorbidities, as well as calcium intake and the nutritional status of the pregnant women, it was used one-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni multiple comparison. Further studies are required for evaluating other parameters that justify the low calcium intake among this population group, and the definition of pathways for the management of the nutritional deficit considering the possible damage to maternal and neonatal health in the short and long term.

Role of vitamin D in pregnancy and Toll-like receptor pathway.

There is a growing concern about the impacts of hypovitaminosis D on the health of pregnant woman, fetal development, childhood, and adult life. Variations in maternal nutrition during gestation and/or lactation play a critical role in the physiological and metabolic development of the fetus and neonate, which can induce phenotypic changes and trigger important consequences throughout life, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and hypertension. Vitamin D plays a role in regulating cell proliferation and differentiation and in modulating the innate and adaptive immune response. Also, vitamin D correlates with changes in cytokines, anti and proinflammatory, as well as prevents inflammation induced by changes in myometrial cells mediated by the nuclear factor kappa B pathway. Further investigation is required regarding these relationship.

Influence of treatment with quercetin on lipid parameters and oxidative stress of pregnant diabetic rats.

Among the numerous coadjuvant therapies that could influence the incidence and progression of diabetic complications, antioxidants and flavonoids are currently being tested in clinical trials. We investigated the effect of quercetin on biochemical parameters in streptozotocin-induced (60 mg/kg body mass, by intraperitoneal injection) diabetic rats. A total of 32 female Wistar rats were distributed among 4 groups as follows: control (G1); control treated with quercetin (G2); diabetic (G3); and diabetic treated with quercetin (G4). Quercetin administered to pregnant diabetic rats controlled dyslipidemia and improved lipid profiles in diabetes mellitus, regulated oxidative stress by reducing the generation of lipid hydroperoxides, and increased the activity of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase.