Study Finds 60% of Pregnant Women in Cork Have Iodine Deficiency

New research from University College Cork (UCC) reveals that a significant number of pregnant women in Ireland exhibit signs of iodine deficiency. The study found that 900 pregnant women (60% of participants) had suboptimal iodine levels, underscoring the importance of raising nutritional awareness to support maternal and child health.

The study, recently published in the European Journal of Nutrition, is the first large-scale assessment of iodine status in pregnant women in Ireland. It examined iodine levels in over 1,500 first-time pregnant women at Cork University Maternity Hospital.

Dr. Áine Hennessy from the Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research (INFANT) at UCC led the research, along with the Cork Centre for Vitamin D & Nutrition Research at the School of Food and Nutritional Sciences.

Key findings include an average urinary iodine concentration (UIC) of 125µg/L, below the WHO recommended level of 150µg/L for pregnancy. Factors such as age, BMI, education level, supplement intake, and seasonal variation were linked to iodine deficiency.

Dr. Hennessy emphasized the importance of iodine for thyroid hormone production, crucial for a baby's brain development in pregnancy. She expressed concern over the findings, noting that despite most women being healthy and taking pregnancy supplements containing iodine, deficiencies persist. Public health measures may need enhancement to address this issue.

Iodine deficiency is a prevalent micronutrient issue globally, with limited public awareness of its critical role in brain development during pregnancy. Dr. Hennessy recommended ensuring adequate iodine intake through diet, including daily milk or yoghurt servings and weekly consumption of white fish. For those on vegan diets, opting for iodine-fortified alternatives is crucial, while cautioning against kelp or seaweed supplements due to potential thyroid complications.

According to the source: echo live.