Swiss study finds need to supplement infant iodine intake |
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A study in the September 1 issue of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism by ICCIDD board member Dr. Michael Zimmermann examined the assumption that if children and pregnant women were iodine sufficient, infants would be as well. Conclusion: even where iodized salt is being used, supplemental fortification of infant formula milk and/or complementary foods is recommended.
The researchers measured urinary iodine concentrations (UIC) in national cross-sectional samples of: 1) pregnant women (n = 648); 2) school children (n = 916); 3) infants at three time points: at 3–4 d after birth and at 6 and 12 months (n = 875); and 4) breast-feeding mothers (n = 507). They alsoo measured breast milk iodine concentrations in the mothers, assessed iodine sources in infant diets, and analyzed iodine content of commercial IFM/CFs (n = 22) and salt samples from the school children's households (n = 266).
The results: Median (m) UICs in pregnant women (162 μg/liter) and school children (120 μg/liter) were sufficient, and 80% of the household salt was adequately iodized (
15 ppm). However, mUICs in infants not receiving IFM/CF were not sufficient: 1) mUIC in breast-fed infants (82 μg/liter) was lower than in non-breast-fed infants (105 μg/liter) (P < 0.001) and 2) mUIC in breast-fed weaning infants not receiving IFM/CF (70 μg/liter) was lower than infants receiving IFM (109 μg/liter) (P < 0.01). mUIC was low in lactating mothers (67 μg/liter) and median breast milk iodine concentration was 49 μg/kg.
Thus, the authors conclude: "In countries in which iodized salt programs supply sufficient iodine to older children and pregnant women, weaning infants, particularly those not receiving iodine-containing IFM, may be at risk of inadequate iodine intakes."
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