Iodine Supplementation Before, During and After Pregnancy

This narrative review reports on the currently insufficient intake of iodine and the iodine status of pregnant and breastfeeding women in Germany, Europe, and worldwide, as well as presenting the associated risks, particularly for children's neurocognitive and psychomotor development. The responsibility of public health bodies to introduce appropriate measures which will ensure adequate iodine intake for all population groups and to monitor their implementation, especially during pregnancy and lactation which are particularly critical periods for the unborn child and the breastfed infant, is emphasized. Based on recent studies, the current national recommendations for iodine supplementation are reviewed, and the benefits and drawbacks of necessary measures to improve iodine intake for pregnant and breastfeeding women and their children are discussed. The most important iodine prophylaxis method - even during pregnancy and lactation - remains universal salt iodization. If this approach to improve widespread iodine intake is not feasible, the AKJ recommends that especially women of reproductive age should take continuous iodine supplements, starting at least three months prior to conception and continuing throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding.