REVIEW ERS ' CONCLUSIONS Despite most of the included studies being of low quality , the results suggest that iodine supplementation , especially iodised oil , is an effective means of decreasing goitre rates and improving iodine status in children .
Indications of positive effects on physical and mental development and mortality were seen , although results were not always significant .
Adverse effects were generally minor and transient .
BACKGROUND Iodine deficiency is the main cause of potentially preventable mental retardation in childhood , as well as causing goitre and hypothyroidism in people of all ages .
It is still prevalent in large parts of the world .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of iodine supplementation overall , and of different forms and dosages of iodine supplementation separately , in the prevention of iodine deficiency disorders in children .
Randomised trial of iodine intake and thyroid status in preterm infants
BACKGROUND Low levels of circulating thyroid hormones have been associated with poorer general and neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm babies and it has been speculated that the association is causal . Low levels of circulating thyroid hormone have been reported after inadequate intake of iodine in preterm infants being fed milk formula . AIM To investigate whether increased iodine intake from supplemented preterm formula would improve thyroid hormone levels in preterm babies ( this study ) and hence improve neurodevelopmental status ( planned subsequent study ) . METHOD A total of 121 preterm infants were entered into a r and omised controlled trial of st and ard ( 68 μg/l ) versus increased ( 272 μg/l ) iodine in preterm formula . RESULTS The two groups were comparable at recruitment . No evidence of an effect of the intervention on thyroid hormone levels was seen up to 41 weeks after conception . CONCLUSION Calls for increased iodine content of preterm infant formulas are not justified by this study . Key message Increasing milk iodine content in line with the latest recommendations for preterm babies had no effect on thyroid hormone levels in the perinatal
REVIEW ERS ' CONCLUSIONS Despite most of the included studies being of low quality , the results suggest that iodine supplementation , especially iodised oil , is an effective means of decreasing goitre rates and improving iodine status in children .
Indications of positive effects on physical and mental development and mortality were seen , although results were not always significant .
Adverse effects were generally minor and transient .
BACKGROUND Iodine deficiency is the main cause of potentially preventable mental retardation in childhood , as well as causing goitre and hypothyroidism in people of all ages .
It is still prevalent in large parts of the world .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of iodine supplementation overall , and of different forms and dosages of iodine supplementation separately , in the prevention of iodine deficiency disorders in children .