Urinary iodine was measured in samples collected during the first week of life in newborns from the areas of Liège in Belgium and Cluj in Romania. In Liège, severe iodine deficiency was seen in 1 out of 8 newborns and mild iodine deficiency in 1 out of 3. A greater proportion of newborns showed iodine deficiency in Cluj. Since public health measures to prevent iodine deficiency have not been set up yet by belgian authorities, the practitioner has to ensure individually optimal iodine intake, particularly in pregnant women, in newborns and during infancy.