Iodine Deficiency During Pregnancy may Lead to Lower IQ Among Kids: Researchers

Mild iodine deficiency during pregnancy could be dimming the intellect of some babies born in the UK, claim researchers.

Their study of 1,000 families showed lower IQs and reading scores in primary school pupils whose mother had had too little iodine while pregnant.

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To control IDD, the ‘National Goiter Control Program (NGCP)’ was launched which was later renamed as the ‘National Iodine Deficiency Disorder Control Program (NIDDCP)’.

Academics advise women of child-bearing age to maintain iodine in their diets by eating dairy products and fish.

Women were warned not to take seaweed pills, as they contain too much iodine.

Iodine is essential for the development of the brain as it is needed to build some of the body's hormones.

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Symptoms of hypothyroidism are often general, unspecific changes in the body. Lethargy, weight gain, stiffness and cramping of muscles are some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism.

A severe deficiency is the leading cause of preventable brain damage in the world.

Researchers at Surrey and Bristol Universities looked at iodine levels in urine samples taken from pregnant women in south-west England.

WHO hopes to wipe away Iodine deficiency diseases by 2005
Over the past decade the number of countries where iodine deficiency is a public health problem has halved according to a WHO Study on a new global

It showed that iodine deficiency was common - affecting two-thirds of women.

Their children went on to have slightly lower IQs at the age of eight and worse reading ability aged nine.

Iodine Deficiency in Britain
Scottish women are at an increased risk of iodine deficiency which can risk the mental development of their future generations.

"We saw a three-point IQ difference between children who were born to mothers with low iodine in early pregnancy and children who were born to mothers above the cut-off," Dr Sarah Bath told the BBC.

The researchers said this "may prevent a child reaching their full potential" and was an "important public health issue."

The study is published in the journal Lancet.

Source-ANI