Study raises lack of iodine dangers

CONCERNS are being raised over the intellectual development of babies in the womb after research revealed Irish women of childbearing age are not getting enough iodine in their diet.

Research carried out at the Conway Institute at University College Dublin (UCD) found a decline in the amount of iodine detected in Irish women over the past decade.

A lack of iodine could harm neuropsychological development of an unborn foetus, impact on their intelligence and on the incidence of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Dr Peter Smyth, a senior lecturer at UCD, said: “What we are concerned about is the intellectual development of the child. We don’t know whether this is at risk but there is a potential that it could be, so we feel we should study iodine intake in the Irish population and see the trend we have detected — if it continues, if it abates — and then study the significance.”

The preliminary results of the study, supported by the Health Research Board and carried out by Dr Smyth and Professor Colm O’Herlihy from the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street found iodine intake in the diet of women of childbearing age has declined since a similar study undertaken in the mid-1990s.

Dr Smyth said there was as yet no available evidence of widespread underactive thyroid function in the Irish obstetric population the findings were a concern.

He said if the findings were confirmed by a more comprehensive investigation it may indicate a need to increase dietary iodine supply to pregnant women and those of childbearing age.

The researchers said dietary iodine deficiency represents the single greatest form of preventable brain damage and diminished IQ worldwide. The dietary intake of iodine by Irish women was found to be significantly less than the level recommended by the World Health Organisation.

The research looked at 54 women attending the National Maternity Hospital in the first trimester of their pregnancy.