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Maternal iodine supplements in areas of deficiency
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Zimbabwe, PO Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe. kmahomed@healthnet.zw
Background:
Iodine deficiency is the leading preventable cause of intellectual impairment in the world. Although iodine supplementation is generally considered to be safe, there is a possibility of high doses of iodine suppressing maternal thyroid function.
Objectives:
The objective of this review was to assess the effects of iodine supplementation before or during pregnancy in areas of iodine deficiency.
Search Strategy:
We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register.
Selection Criteria:
All acceptably controlled trials of maternal iodine supplementation during pregnancy with clinical outcomes.
Data Collection And Analysis:
Eligibility and trial quality were assessed by two reviewers.
Main Results:
Three trials involving 1551 women were included. In two trials, iodine supplementation was associated with a statistically significant reduction in deaths during infancy and early childhood (relative risk 0.71, 95% confidence interval 0. 56 to 0.90). Iodine supplementation was associated with decreased prevalence of endemic cretinism at the age of four years (relative risk 0.27, 95% confidence interval 0.12 to 0.60) and better psychomotor development scores between four to 25 months of age.
Reviewer'S Conclusions:
Iodine supplementation in a population with high levels of endemic cretinism results in an important reduction in the incidence of the condition with no apparent adverse effects.