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 .
Iodised rapeseed oil for eradication of severe endemic goitre
Iodised oil is traditionally based on the fatty acids ( FAs ) of the poppyseed , an expensive commodity . An equipotent but cheaper vehicle would be welcome . Iodination of rapeseed oil yields a product ( Brassiodol ) with a total iodine content of 376 mg/mL. Brassiodol has been compared with the poppyseed-based Lipiodol in two villages in Chad in the west African goitre belt . A 2 mL dose of Brassiodol is followed by urinary spillover of half the ingested iodine . The other half undergoes tissue sequestration and slow release , allowing protection against iodine deficiency for 9 months and regression of stage I/II goitre for longer than was achieved with Lipiodol . The prolonged protection offered by Brassiodol can be attributed to its unique lipid profile . The urinary output argues that 1 mL should not be exceeded , and at that dose the cost would be only 20 US cents per person per year
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 .