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22/05/2013

Drinking Organic Milk 'Could Harm Baby's IQ'

A new study has found that pregnant women who drink organic milk during pregnancy could risk harming their child's brain development.

The study, which was carried out by researchers from Surrey and Bristol Universities and published in The Lancet medical journal, revealed that a lack of iodine during pregnancy can affect a child's IQ.

It also claimed children born to women who are deficient in the mineral are 60% more likely to have low IQ scores and poor reading ability by the ages of eight and nine. As a result, the researchers said this could affect the grades the children receive at GCSE and A Level due to them not reaching "their full potential".

Iodine is essential to the development of an unborn baby's brain as the mineral helps produce the hormones made by the thyroid gland, which has a direct effect on foetal development.

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In the first study of its kind to look at pregnant women who were mild or moderately deficient in iodine, researchers measured the mineral in urine samples of 1,040 women which were taken in the first three months of pregnancy.

Two thirds of expectant mothers were assessed as iodine deficient and it was found their children were significantly more likely to have low scores in verbal IQ, reading accuracy and reading comprehension tests, compared with women whose iodine levels met international standards.

The report, which was published in The Lancet medical journal, said the lack of achievement would be likely to continue throughout the child's education.

Professor Margaret Rayman, who led the project, said women therefore needed to increase their iodine intake.

She said: "Our results clearly show the importance of adequate iodine status during early pregnancy, and emphasise the risk that iodine deficiency can pose to the developing infant, even in a country classified as only mildly iodine deficient."

Co-author Dr Sarah Bath said those planning a pregnancy and breastfeeding mothers should make sure their diets contained a good natural supply of iodine, but warned against taking supplements, such as kelp, as they may have excessive levels of iodine, which can be harmful.

(JP/CD)

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"A new study has found that pregnant women who drink organic milk during pregnancy could risk harming their child's brain development."