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Pregnancy is a period of increased demands on all organs and systems of the mother’s body, including the thyroid gland (TG). The productivity of the thyroid gland increases by 30–50%. For continuous and sufficient synthesis of thyroid hormones (TG) requires optimal intake of dietary iodine. The need for a microelement increases significantly during pregnancy, due to increased activity of the thyroid gland. Iodine deficiency of mild or moderate degrees leads to insufficient synthesis of thyroid hormones, despite its compensatory increase. Hypothyroidism in women is one of the causes of infertility. Hypothyroidism in pregnant women significantly increases the risk of preterm birth. Iodine deficiency has a serious impact on the intrauterine development of the fetus, because iodine and thyroid hormones (TG) are actively involved in the development of the fetus, the formation of various organs and the development of the brain. In order to prevent the dangerous consequences of iodine deficiency in the Russian Federation, mass prevention is carried out in the form of the use of iodized salt. During the 1st trimester of pregnancy, each woman undergoes a laboratory test of the level of TSH, total T4 and total T3 as a screening in order to correct the hypofunction of the thyroid gland in time. In pregnant women, especially in the first trimester, iodine requirements increase by 50%, which requires not only the mandatory use of iodized salt, but also the appointment of pharmacological preparations of iodine with an accurate dosage. Preventive measures may not be enough, then replacement therapy with levothyroxine is used throughout the pregnancy.

One of the priorities of health care in most countries is the prevention of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). About two billion people live in areas of natural iodine deficiency. It is known that insufficient intake of iodine in utero and in early childhood is the greatest danger. Changes caused by iodine deficiency in these periods of life manifest in irreversible defects of intellectual and physical development. However, the entire spectrum of IDD is wide and extends from reproductive disorders to specific thyroid diseases. According to the World Health Organization (UNICEF), in 96 countries with iodine deficiency are already laws and regulations on mandatory salt iodization, only 13 countries do not have the law, including Russia. It is proved that the Russian population continues to live in conditions of uncompensated iodine deficiency. In this connection it is extremely relevant conduct mass iodine prophylaxis and individual using preparations containing a physiological dose of iodine (such as Jodomarin) in high-risk groups on a statutory basis.

Iodine is а vital microelements that are essential for the normal human development and functions. Iodine deficiency is a global problem: about 2 billion individuals worldwide suffer from a lack of iodine. Despite goiter is the most visually noticeable manifestation of iodine deficiency, the most significant consequence of the iodine deficiency is impaired neurodevelopment, particularly early in life. Moreover, moderate to severe iodine deficiency increases the risk of spontaneous abortion, low birth weight and infant mortality. Babies in utero affected by iodine deficiency are at increased risk of mental developmental disorders, cretinism is their extreme degree. In addition, moderate to severe iodine deficiency in childhood negatively affects somatic growth. Iodine deficiency compensation improves cognitive and motor function in children. Iodine prophylaxis of deficient populations is an extremely effective approach to reduce the substantial adverse effects of iodine deficiency throughout the life cycle.

Iodine deficiency, in addition to the development of an enlargement of the thyroid gland - goiter, leads to a number of other pathological conditions, which are commonly called iodine deficiency diseases. The spectrum of iodine deficiency diseases is wide and depends on the period of life when iodine deficiency affects the body. Iodine deficiency during pregnancy and embryonic development leads to a high prevalence of spontaneous abortion, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy; high perinatal and infant mortality, congenital malformations, congenital hypothyroidism with a lag in physical and mental development. In childhood and adolescence, iodine deficiency is accompanied by an increase in the thyroid gland, in some cases with a violation or delay in physical, mental and sexual development. In the mature period, iodine deficiency is accompanied by varying degrees of thyroid enlargement. Cretinism in iodine-deficient areas occurs with a frequency of 1 to 10%.