Iodized salt urged for women in iodine-poor areas
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women from iodine-deficient areas should use iodized salt for at least 2 years before becoming pregnant to prevent thyroid problems during pregnancy and to protect the fetus against the harmful effect of iodine deficiency on brain development, Italian researchers report.
The thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped organ in the neck and a key part of the endocrine system, produces hormones and helps regulate the body's metabolism.
There is an increased risk of neurological development problems in infants born to mothers who had low levels of thyroid hormone in early pregnancy. Even mild isolated thyroid problems can interfere with fetal brain development.
In the current study, researchers from University of Messina conducted a long-term study of thyroid function in 100 consecutive pregnant women from a mildly iodine-deficient area who had normal thyroid gland function when they were 6 to 9 weeks pregnant.
Sixty-two women had regularly consumed iodized salt for at least 2 years prior to becoming pregnant, whereas 38 did not start using iodized salt until they became pregnant.
Dr. Francesco Vermiglio and colleagues found that the rate of thyroid failure was nearly 6-fold higher in short-term users of iodized salt compared with long-term users.
In a commentary published with the study, Dr. Elizabeth N. Pearce from Boston University Medical Center points out that even women using iodized salt for years may not have sufficient iodine levels during pregnancy.
"Whereas salt iodization programs remain essential," Pearce advises, "the addition of adequate iodine-containing prenatal multivitamins should be strongly encouraged for women from regions of even borderline iodine deficiency who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant."
