An update: maternal iodine supplementation, thyroid function tests, and child neurodevelopmental outcomes

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#infant #pregnancy #female #child #humans

An update: maternal iodine supplementation, thyroid function tests, and child neurodevelopmental outcomes

Nguyen et al., 2023 | Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes | Meta Analysis

Citation

Nguyen Caroline T. An update: maternal iodine supplementation, thyroid function tests, and child neurodevelopmental outcomes. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2023-Oct-01;30(5):265-272. doi:10.1097/MED.0000000000000824

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The impact of maternal iodine supplementation (MIS) during pregnancy on thyroid function and child neurodevelopmental outcomes in areas of mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency (MMID) remains unclear. RECENT FINDINGS: Despite growing success of salt iodization programs, a 2022 meta-analysis found that 53% of pregnant patients worldwide continue to have insufficient iodine intake during pregnancy. A 2021 randomized controlled trial (RCT) found that MIS in women with mild iodine deficiency led to iodine sufficiency and positive effects on maternal thyroglobulin. A 2021 cohort study of MIS initiated prior to pregnancy was associated with lower thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), higher FT3, and FT4. Other cohort studies, however, found that neither salt iodization nor MIS were adequate to meet pregnancy iodine needs. Data have been mixed regarding maternal iodine status and pregnancy outcomes in patients of MMID. Meta-analyses have not shown any clear benefit on infant neurocognitive outcomes with MIS of MMID patients. A 2023 meta-analysis found that the prevalence of excess iodine intake in pregnancy was 52%. SUMMARY: MMID continues to exist during pregnancy. Salt iodization alone may be insufficient to ensure adequate iodine status during pregnancy. There is an absence of high-quality data to support routine MIS in areas of MMID. However, patients with specialized diets (vegan, nondairy, no seafood, noniodized salt, and so on) may be at risk for inadequate iodine status in pregnancy. Excess iodine intake can be detrimental to the fetus and should be avoided during pregnancy.

Key Findings

Despite growing success of salt iodization programs, a 2022 meta-analysis found that 53% of pregnant patients worldwide continue to have insufficient iodine intake during pregnancy. A 2021 randomized controlled trial (RCT) found that MIS in women with mild iodine deficiency led to iodine sufficiency and positive effects on maternal thyroglobulin. A 2021 cohort study of MIS initiated prior to pregnancy was associated with lower thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), higher FT3, and FT4. Other cohort

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population pregnant patients
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition cognitive

MeSH Terms

  • Infant
  • Pregnancy
  • Female
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Thyroid Function Tests
  • Iodine
  • Thyrotropin
  • Malnutrition
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Review, Meta-Analysis, Journal Article
  • Vertical: iodine

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09