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[Nutritional iodine status of healthy infants in Germany]
F Manz1, A Fuchs, K Terwolbeck
1Forschungsinstitut für Kinderernährung, Dortmund.
Insights
Breastfed infants in Germany may face iodine deficiency due to insufficient maternal intake. Iodized infant formulas, however, effectively address this risk, ensuring adequate iodine supply for babies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Public Health
Context:
- Assessing iodine status in infants is crucial for neurodevelopment.
- German pregnant and lactating mothers exhibit insufficient iodine supply.
- Infant feeding practices vary, impacting nutrient intake.
Purpose:
- To evaluate iodine supply in healthy term infants.
- To compare iodine status among breastfed and formula-fed infants.
- To identify the most effective parameter for assessing infant iodine status.
Summary:
- This study analyzed urine samples from 78 healthy term infants (108-144 days old) for iodine and creatinine.
- Estimated daily iodine excretion was the most reliable indicator of iodine status.
- Breastfed infants had significantly lower iodine excretion than those fed iodized hypoallergenic or commercial formulas.
Impact:
- Breastfed infants in areas of insufficient iodine supply are at risk of deficiency.
- Iodine supplementation in infant formulas since 1990/1991 has proven effective in correcting iodine deficiency.
- Findings support the importance of adequate iodine intake during infancy.
Abstract:
In 78 healthy term babies from Düsseldorf and surroundings spontaneous urine samples were collected on day 108 to day 144 of life and analyzed for the content of iodine and creatinine. 26 babies were breast fed. 23 babies received an iodized hypoallergenic formula and 26 babies different commercial formulas only partly iodized. From 4 parameters to estimate iodine supply of the babies (urinary iodine concentration microgram/dl, iodine/creatinine ratio microgram/g; estimated daily iodine excretion microgram/d, estimated daily iodine excretion corrected for body surface area microgram/dl 1.73 m2) estimated daily iodine excretion was the most useful parameter. Breast fed babies showed a significantly lower estimated daily iodine excretion (median 32 microgram/d) than babies fed the hypoallergenic (52 microgram/d) or a commercial formula (54 micrograms/d). In Germany with an insufficient iodine supply of pregnant and lactating mothers breast fed infants run a risk for an insufficient iodine supply. Furthermore, supplementation of infant formulas with iodine started in 1990/1991 proved to be a sufficient measure to correct iodine deficiency.