Iodine supplements for pregnant women

A study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology indicates that iodine supplementation for all pregnant women could offer substantial savings to the NHS.  A previous UK study of around 1,000 pregnant women, published in 2013, found that around two-thirds could be classed as mildly to moderately deficient in iodine.  Lower levels of iodine during pregnancy were subsequently linked with slightly poorer IQ and reading scores when the children were eight years old.  This new research reviewed clinical data across 1361 articles relating to iodine deficiency in pregnant women and the effect on IQ in their children aged eight to nine years. The conclusions estimated that introducing iodine supplements to pregnant women could save the health service about £200 per expectant mother.

RCM director for midwifery Louise Silverton said: “One must not forget what lies behind the financial costs of the effects of insufficient iodine during the fetal period, infants, children and adults who fail to meet their cognitive potential…Some pregnancy supplements include iodine but the time is right for all manufactures to include the recommended level of iodine in their formulae”

BBC report may be viewed here 

RCM article here