Iodine, folic acid, calcium, omega 3 ... are some terms well known to pregnant women, as they are part of the recommendations for a healthy pregnancy. Today we focus on one of those elements and ask ourselves: Why is iodine so important in pregnancy?
Pregnant and nursing women need larger amounts than at other stages of life since iodine is essential for the baby's brain development.
Iodine is necessary for the proper metabolism of cells, that is, for the process of converting food into energy. People need iodine for the proper functioning of the thyroid and for the production of thyroid hormones. In addition, it plays a fundamental role in the growth and development of all organs, especially the brain.
In Babies and more27 foods rich in iodine and 27 easy recipes to prepare themIf a person lacks iodine in the diet for a prolonged period of time it could lead to hypothyroidism: if there is not enough iodine, the thyroid cells and the thyroid gland increase in size. Sufficient iodine intake in the diet can prevent cretinism, a form of intellectual and physical disability.
This deficiency affects women more often than men and is more common in pregnant women and older children. Maternal hypothyroidism can cause abortion and even learning problems in children born to untreated hypothyroid women.
Iodine deficiency can also affect the development of other organs and be responsible for intrauterine growth delays, permanent hearing loss and various congenital defects, which increase the possibility of perinatal and infant morbidity and mortality.
Thus, Iodine is a necessary nutrient for the health and development of people at any stage of life, but especially in pregnancy.
If a pregnant woman ingests less iodine than necessary, she may have hypothyroxinemia that has a negative and irreversible impact on the baby's development, both psychomotor and intellectual.
As insufficient intake of iodine in the young child can also affect the development of his brain, we must also ensure a sufficient supply of this nutrient to the nursing mother.
Recommendations of iodine in pregnancy
According to recent studies in the population of Spanish pregnant women, the estimated nutritional status of iodine is below the range recommended by the WHO during pregnancy, except in pregnant women who consume supplements.
In pregnant and nursing women iodine needs increase up to 250 g / day and they are not sufficiently guaranteed with the consumption of foods enriched with iodine (such as iodized salt, which is also restricted at this stage), so it is necessary to use an extra iodine supplement in the form of potassium iodide.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the International Council for the Control of Iodine Deficit Disorders, the best strategy to avoid iodine deficiency in the general population is the usual consumption of iodized salt, and Provide an extra supplement of at least 200 mcg of iodine per day to pregnant women as a drug preparation, to infants and those who are planning a pregnancy.
In Babies and more Iodine deficit affects psychomotor and intellectual development (and in Spain there is a deficit)Let's see what elements we can include in the diet and food are rich in iodine, to ensure sufficient contribution:
Iodized salt is cooking salt with added iodine and is the main food source of this element.
Seafood is rich in iodine naturally.
Fish such as cod, bass, pollock and perch are good sources. Remember what fish you can eat during pregnancy.
Brown or marine algae (kelp) is a sea food vegetable that is high in iodine. Plants that grow in iodine-rich soils are also good sources.
Dairy products also contain iodine due to the widespread use of feed enriched with this trace element in animal feed (organic ones may instead have very low iodine contents).
Finally, remember that the excess of iodine is also not good, so you can not use iodinated antiseptics for skin antisepsis of the mother and / or newborn because they cause yatrogeny.
There are authors who point out that universal supplementation with iodine tablets during pregnancy and breastfeeding at this time is not justified in Spain, since with the iodine content in iodized salt and in milk and milk derivatives it is possible to cover the pregnancy and lactation needs, and the possible risks of excess are avoided.
In these cases, pharmacological supplementation during pregnancy and lactation could be performed in areas where there is clear evidence of iodine deficiency in the population or in women who do not drink milk or dairy products or iodized salt.
UNICEF and WHO recommend:
The administration of iodine supplements to pregnant or breastfeeding women in countries where less than 20% of households have access to iodized salt. Countries in which between 20% and 90% of households have access to iodized salt should try to accelerate salt iodization or evaluate the feasibility of increasing iodine intake in the most susceptible groups through supplemented foods or supplements With this item.
However, the "Guide for the prevention of congenital defects" of the Ministry of Health indicates that the iodine supplement should be started before the beginning of pregnancy, or as early as possible, and maintained until the end of breastfeeding.
As we see, iodine the fundamental for a healthy pregnancy, so we must ensure that we do not lack this micronutrient in the diet and will also include the nutritional supplement recommended by the gynecologist. During breastfeeding, maintain adequate iodine levels.
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In Babies and more | The importance of iodine during pregnancy and childhood, It is essential to take an iodine supplement during pregnancy
