Summary: A new study shows that it's more effective to give breastfeeding mothers an iodine supplement than it is to administer it to the baby directly. However, both methods are insufficient to ensure that both mother and child receive enough of the trace element during baby's first year. The research suggests that the World Health Organization's recommendation for iodine — that new mothers take one iodine capsule to provide a year's dose of iodine for the mother and child by way of breastfeeding — needs to be adjusted. In the meantime, pregnant and nursing women can make sure their regular diet includes iodine (through dairy products, seafood, bread, and iodized salt), but should talk to their doctors about making sure they have adequate iodine levels.
For the first time ever, a team of German researchers tested the effectiveness of the current standard (and recommended) methods of iodine administration at birth and found it leaving both mother and baby lacking in this all-important nutrient.
The scientists worked with 241 breastfeeding mothers and their children. In one group, the mothers were given the recommended dose of iodine within the first eight weeks of giving birth; in the other group the babies got the vitamin supplement directly. Everyone was tested for iodine concentrations in their urine over the first year.
In the course of the study, published in the Lancet researchers found that giving an iodine capsule to the mother is more effective than administering it to the child directly. However, both methods fail to ensure that both mother and child receive enough of the trace element. While the mother passes a significant amount of iodine to baby through breast milk, it's still doesn't satisfy the recommended level at nine months.
And for the mother, it's even worse — the one-time dose showed her to be iodine deficient throughout that same time period. "The mother's body is apparently programmed to put all its iodine reserves into nourishing the child and does not keep sufficient reserves for itself," said researcher Raschida Bouhouch.
Iodine is critical in maintaining proper thyroid function. A severe iodine deficiency in pregnant women can cause hypothyroidism, which in turn can lead to mental retardation, neurological damage, and thyroid problems in fetuses. The New York Times reported that studies show that iodine deficiency is the leading preventable cause of mental retardation. Even moderate deficiency, especially in pregnant women and infants, lowers intelligence by 10 to 15 IQ points. But these developmental problems are some of the easiest to prevent. A woman simply needs to consume sufficient iodine.
The current recommendation by the World Health Organization (WHO) is that new mothers take one iodine capsule to provide a year's dose of iodine for the mother and child by way of breastfeeding. If breastfeeding is not an option, infants are given a lower concentration supplement directly. However, the effectiveness of these two methods had never been tested, until now.
The research suggests that WHO's recommendation need to be adjusted. Since a one-time iodine capsule (400 mg) appears to be unable to raise the iodine level enough for optimum health, the researchers propose that mothers be given iodine twice instead of only once a year. More regular and lower doses would be preferable, they say.
For mothers who prefer and are able to get their iodine in their regular diet, good sources include dairy products, seafood, bread, and iodized salt. But all pregnant and nursing women should talk to their doctors about making sure they have adequate iodine levels.
Photo credit: Flickr
3 More Things to Read:
The Breastfeeding Diet