Iodine Deficiency in Pregnancy Affects Mental Development

Deficiency in iodine, which can be consumed through dairy products and seafood, during pregnancy may have an adverse effect on children’s mental development, according to a study published in the Lancet medical journal.

Following World Health Organization guidelines, women who had iodine levels of less than 150 micrograms per gram of creatinine were classified as being iodine deficient. Children of such women were more likely to have scores in the lowest quartile for verbal ability, reading accuracy and reading comprehension than those whose mothers had sufficient iodine levels, according to the study published today.