New research that reveals the extent and cost of iodine deficiency among pregnant women has been released out of the U.K. These findings underscore the Council for Responsible Nutrition’s (CRN’s) call to include this vital nutrient in prenatal vitamins.
Iodine deficiency is the number one cause of preventable brain damage and mental retardation in children. Even mild deficiency during pregnancy is associated with lower IQ, making this supplement imperative in achieving well-rounded prenatal health.
According to a study published in the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, pregnant women in the U.K. who take iodine supplements compared to those who do not can save the National Health Services about £200 in direct costs. Moreover, they can save the larger society £4,476 per child over their lifetime of earning and in public sector costs.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham suggest that the findings—which are based on clinical data from eight studies that compare the impact of iodine deficiency in pregnant women on their child’s IQ and income—are not restricted to the U.K. Their work shows that approximately 1.88 billion people live in 32 countries with iodine deficiency.
These findings also echo the CRN’s published guidelines that all manufacturers of prenatal supplements include at least 150 mcg of iodine in their daily products. Many CRN member companies already comply with this guidance, but approximately 50 per cent of prenatal vitamins still do not contain iodine.
