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10/08/2015

Iodine Supplements Suggested For Expectant Mothers – Study

Providing expectant mothers with iodine supplements could result in significant cost savings for health care systems, according to new research.

The study, carried out by a team at the University of Birmingham and published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal, suggests that introducing iodine supplementation in pregnancy in the UK could save the NHS around £200 per expectant mother. It could also provide monetary benefits to society of around £4,500 per child from increased lifetime earnings and lower public sector costs.

For the research, the team did a modelling study to look at the cost-effectiveness of iodine supplementation against no supplementation. Using data from previously published studies and experts' opinions, they modelled direct health service savings and monetary benefits to society (i.e. lifetime earnings) in terms of gains from an additional IQ point in the children.

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By converting the effects of iodine supplementation in pregnancy on developing brains into IQ points, those behind the study believe that the benefits equate to 1.22 IQ points per child, with monetary benefits of around £199 per expectant mother for the NHS, and £4,476 per pregnancy for society.

Iodine does not occur naturally in the body and therefore needs to be consumed by eating foods like dairy and seafood or through taking supplements. Cases of severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy can cause substantial mental impairment and delayed development in children, resulting in a lower IQ and consequently lower educational attainment and earning potential.

Health organisations, such as WHO, recommend that pregnant and breastfeeding women take daily iodine supplements, but no recommendation for iodine supplementation has been issued to pregnant women in the UK.

The authors of the study said: "As food fortification alone may not be enough to achieve iodine sufficiency for pregnant women, our results strengthen the case for universal iodine supplementation of all women before and during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding in mild-to-moderate iodine deficient countries."

(JP)

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"Providing expectant mothers with iodine supplements could result in significant cost savings for health care systems, according to new research."