Iodine deficiency signs found in three out of five pregnancies
Three in five pregnant women showed signs of an iodine deficiency, which is essential for baby brain development, a new Irish study has shown.A team from University College Cork (UCC) found that 60% of pregnant women had a suboptimal iodine status, even among women who had reported taking pregnancy supplements.They said this study, the first of its kind in Ireland, shows a need for increased nutritional awareness to support the health of mothers and babies.“Iodine deficiency is one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies worldwide, there is little public awareness of the important role that iodine plays in brain development during pregnancy,” lead researcher Dr Áine Hennessy said.“Our findings are particularly concerning as most women in the study were considered healthy and low risk and two thirds reported taking pregnancy supplements containing iodine. This suggests that additional public health measures may need to be addressed.” Health questionnaires The study recruited 1,509 women who were pregnant with their first baby at Cork University Hospital. They answered health questionnaires and provided urine samples, which were measured for urinary iodine concentration.It found the average concentration was 125 micrograms per litre, below the recommended level of 150 set by the World Health Organisation.Women who were younger, had a higher BMI, lower education levels, or were not taking iodine-containing supplements were more likely to be deficient.Furthermore, lower iodine levels were reported during the summer months.The researchers said this all matters because iodine is essential for thyroid hormone production, which supports a baby’s brain development during pregnancy.A woman’s iodine requirement increases by 50% during pregnancy and, since our bodies cannot make iodine, we must get it from our diets.A deficiency of iodine can lead to what were referred to as adverse outcomes which can included impaired neurodevelopment in children.
The researchers recommended a policy review take place as well as nutrition education for women of childbearing age.Two or more servings of milk or yoghurt daily and eating white fish once a week is recommended by the HSE. Those following vegan or similar diets should choose “iodine fortified alternatives”. However, they advised against kelp or seaweed supplements as they can cause problems for the thyroid.
