Infant Survival Is Improved by Oral Iodine Supplementation ,

Abstract

Although reports suggest that infant mortality is increased during iodine deficiency, the effect of iodine supplementation on infant mortality is unknown. A double-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of oral iodized oil was conducted in Subang, West Java, Indonesia to evaluate the effect of iodine supplementation on infant mortality. Infants were allocated to receive placebo or oral iodized oil (100 mg) at about 6 wk of age and were followed to 6 mo of age. Six hundred seventeen infants were enrolled in the study. Infant survival was apparently improved, as indicated by a 72% reduction in the risk of death during the first 2 mo of follow-up (P < 0.05) and a delay in the mean time to death among infants who died in the iodized oil group compared with infants who died in the placebo group (48 days vs. 17.5 d, P = 0.06). Other infant characteristics associated with reduced risk of death included weight-for-age at base line, consumption of solid foods, female gender and recent history of maternal iodine supplementation. Oral iodized oil supplementation had a stronger effect on the mortality of males compared with females. This study suggests that oral iodized oil supplementation of infants may reduce infant mortality in populations at risk for iodine deficiency.

The impact of iodised salt or iodine supplements on iodine status during pregnancy, lactation and infancy

“…In a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, Nohr et al 52 gave to 66 pregnant women who had antibodies to antithyroid peroxidase (TPO-Ab) a multi-nutrient supplement containing 150 mg iodine per day or a placebo control from the eleventh week of pregnancy to full term. The median UI concentration was significantly higher in the treated women at full term than in the controls, but there were no differences in the concentration of maternal TSH, fT 4 or Tg between groups 52 . There was no difference in the prevalence of anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (Tg-Ab) or TPO-Ab, and no differences between groups in the prevalence or severity of post-partum thyroid dysfunction (PPTD), defined as an abnormal TSH concentration in the ).…”

“…There was no difference in the prevalence of anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (Tg-Ab) or TPO-Ab, and no differences between groups in the prevalence or severity of post-partum thyroid dysfunction (PPTD), defined as an abnormal TSH concentration in the ). 53 However, there were no differences between groups in the concentration of maternal fT 4 , fT 3 , TSH and Tg or in thyroid volume, and no differences in the prevalence of TPO-Ab, Tg-Ab or PPTD.…”

“…The treatment had no significant effect on the concentration of maternal or cord T 3 , fT 4 and the T 3 /T 4 ratio 10 . The treated women had a significantly higher UI concentration, a smaller thyroid volume and a lower concentration of TSH and Tg when compared with controls 10 .…”

Seasonality in urinary and household salt iodine content among pregnant and lactating women of the plains of Nepal

“…Iodine deficiency during pregnancy appears to increase the risk of abortion, stillbirth, low birth weight, and infant mortality (Pharoah et al, 1971;Pharoah, 1972;Chaouki & Benmiloud, 1994;Cobra et al, 1997;Dillon & Milliez, 2000) and can lead to cretinism in infants exposed to severe iodine deficiency in utero. Stunted growth and neuromotor, intellectual, behavioral and cognitive impairment have been described in children whose mothers were moderately to severely iodine deficient during pregnancy (Pharoah & Connolly, 1987;Fierro-Benitez et al, 1988;Azizi et al, 1995).…”

Iodine deficiency and women’s health: Colonialism’s malign effect on health in Oromia region, in Ethiopia

“…This means that children born from malnourished mothers will grow up to be less healthy and productive. Iodine is an essential component of the hormones thyroxin and its inadequate supply diminishes the thyroxin level, the development of the brain of the fetus and causes physical impairment and brain damage [78,79]. Even mild ID can cause a significant loss of learning ability-about 13.5 intelligence quotient points.…”