The results of the “Tiromobil" epidemiological trial of pregnant women in the Russian Federation

Aim. To study structural and functional changes in the thyroid gland (TG) in pregnant women living in iodine-deficiency regions; to evaluate efficacy of prophylactic measures. Material and methods. Random sample method was used for examination of 1090 pregnant women living in the regions with different iodine provision. All the participants were examined clinically, measurements were made of thyroid size, TTH, free T4, iodinuria. Results. Iodine salt in household was used only by 17% women. Prophylaxis of iodine deficiency was conducted in 51% pregnant women. Thyroid alterations were detected in 27% examinees, diffuse goiter was diagnosed on the average in 17% pregnant women (in some regions 36%), nodular goiter - in 3.1%, focal goiter alterations of the thyroid - in 4.4%, symptoms of autoimmune thyroid disease - in 2.7%. Iodinuria varied with regions from 72.5 to 150 mcg/l. TTH and T4 levels were mainly normal. Isolated fall of T4 in trimester II and III was registered in 70% pregnant women, low TTH - in 4.4%. Conclusion. Most of the pregnant women in the regions studied were at risk of diseases associated with iodine deficiency. Prevention of iodine deficiency is not adequate.

epidemiological studies, thyroid gland, pregnancy, iodine deficiency, preventio