A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health by researchers at the University of South Australia says that a lack of iodine intake by a pregnant woman can have devastating effects on her baby’s intellectual development.
Small Study Points in the Right Direction
This study compared the urinary iodine concentration of 31 women who consume vegan/plant-based diets and 26 women who also consume meat and dairy. While neither group hit the 100 micrograms per liter recommended by the World Health Organization, meat-eaters averaged 64 micrograms per liter, while the plant-based group averaged 44 micrograms per liter. The way they got their iodine also made a difference. Participants who chose pink or Himalayan salt instead of iodized salt were extremely deficient, averaging only 23 micrograms per liter. While 57 participants is a very small study population, the results suggest the need for larger studies. “The study gives us a word of caution that sometimes good intentions can lead to some unintended consequences. So, [we must] make sure women that are pregnant are talking to their doctors during pregnancy, and they are sharing their health condition, their lifestyle choices, and medications they’re on. It’s really important to be very detailed in describing their diet,” notes Saima Aftab, MD, FAAP, Chief of Neonatology, Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists and VP for Organizational Initiatives, Nicklaus Children’s Health System. This pilot study is reminiscent of earlier research into iodine deficiency, and its informative results. “A landmark study of 1,000 families in southwest England, published in The Lancet in 2013, showed that pregnant mothers who were deficient in iodine were more likely to have children with learning difficulties. They found that the women who had lower urinary iodine during pregnancy (indicating that they were mildly to moderately deficient in iodine) were more likely to have children with lower IQ scores at age 8, particularly in verbal and reading scores,” recalls Cindy Edouard, BSRRT, MPH.
Our Bodies Need Iodine
Because iodine is such a necessary element for development and the ongoing maintenance of vital organs, its absence leaves a huge and potentially dangerous void. “When moms are pregnant, their requirement for iodine increases,” Dr. Aftab explains. “Sometimes we don’t find out that moms are not taking enough iodine until it’s much more advanced, and their numbers are already low,” Dr. Aftab states. “We sometimes don’t know a baby has low levels of iodine until way after birth, when the damage is done.” “If (a mother) is deficient in iodine and thyroid hormone both during pregnancy and during pre-conception, the baby risks mental impairment,” states Edouard. “Some babies have a yellow color to their skin or the whites of their eyes. This is called jaundice.” The American Thyroid Association notes on its website that, “Thyroid hormones help the body use energy, stay warm and keep the brain, heart, muscles, and other organs working as they should.” Babies aren’t the only ones affected by low levels. “Goiter, known for causing a large swelling of the neck where the thyroid gland is located, is typical of severe iodine deficiency,” Edouard states.
How Do You Make Sure You’re Getting Enough Iodine?
Just as having a diet full of protein, folic acid and Vitamin C is important during pregnancy, so is a diet that contains iodine. “The body does not make iodine, so it is an essential part of your diet,” notes the American Thyroid Association. Fad diets that recommend limiting or removing certain nutrients are problematic if they create a deficiency. “The difficulty we have is sometimes we don’t find out about the impact or harm of these restrictive diets until much later,” Dr. Aftab explains. She continues, “Recognize that when we have moms that are pregnant, we tell them, no alcohol, and smoking is bad for the baby. It’s (important) to make sure women recognize the importance of good nutrition, healthy eating and a balanced diet.” Edouard adds, “One simple way to ensure you get enough iodine is to check your prenatal vitamin—make sure it provides about 150 micrograms. It’s important not to overdo it; too much iodine can also be a problem. Seafood, eggs, milk, and milk products are among the best sources of iodine. Vegans, people with certain food allergies or lactose intolerance, and others who consume no or minimal amounts of these foods might not obtain sufficient amounts of iodine.” It’s even more important to get iodine from food sources, as there is no specific test to indicate an iodine deficiency. “We measure thyroid hormone as a surrogate marker for how well the mom’s thyroid is doing; just sort of a downstream byproduct to getting enough iodine,” Dr. Aftab notes.
Even With a Deficiency, There Is Hope
“The main treatment for (iodine deficiency) is thyroid hormone replacement. It is safe and easy to take. If it is begun immediately after your child is diagnosed, treatment can prevent many or all of the effects," Edouard advises. “If damage to the brain and nerves happens because treatment is delayed, it is usually permanent and cannot be reversed.” Monitoring iodine intake, eating a balanced diet, and attending prenatal visits from the start of pregnancy is the best way to plan for a healthy, happy baby.
