Iodine in pregnancy : are we missing the wood for the leaf?

Abstract

Despite being a trace element and thus only required in minute quantities, iodine is of paramount importance to our survival due to its role in the synthesis of thyroid hormones which regulate cellular metabolism and energy and are especially essential during early growth, development and maturation of most organs notably the brain (vision and hearing), cardiac muscle, the pituitary gland, the kidney, reproductive organs and the bones. Following a request by the European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a Scientific Opinion (May 2014) on the Dietary Reference Values (DRVs) for iodine, which are provided as Adequate Intake (AI), based on a large epidemiological study in European schoolchildren which used urinary iodine concentrations as a measure of adequate intake. On the grounds of this data an AI of 150mcg was postulated for adults while an AI of between 70mcg and 130mcg was thought to be required for infants (7-11 months) and children. An AI of 200mcg was proposed for pregnant and lactating women.