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Updated: Feb 21, 2026

Author Spotlight: Studying the Impact of Maternal Dietary Deficiencies on Long-Term Offspring Health Outcomes
Published on: June 28, 2024
Maternal adherence with recommendations for folic acid and iodine supplements: A cross-sectional survey
Andrew N Reynolds1,2, Sheila A Skeaff1
1Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Otago, New Zealand.
We conducted a survey of 535 New Zealand women to determine supplement use pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy and while breastfeeding to evaluate adherence with national recommendations for folic acid and iodine supplementation. Our findings suggest that despite these women being well-educated and motivated to complete an online survey, there was low adherence to recommendations for folic acid and iodine supplements. Only 38% of women reported supplement intake that met both folic acid and iodine recommendations. This cross-sectional survey provides information useful to policy makers, clinicians and researchers seeking to protect and promote maternal and infant health.
We conducted a survey of 535 New Zealand women to determine supplement use pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy and while breastfeeding to evaluate adherence with national recommendations for folic acid and iodine supplementation. Our findings suggest that despite these women being well-educated and motivated to complete an online survey, there was low adherence to recommendations for folic acid and iodine supplements. Only 38% of women reported supplement intake that met both folic acid and iodine recommendations. This cross-sectional survey provides information useful to policy makers, clinicians and researchers seeking to protect and promote maternal and infant health.
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