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 .
Development of thyroid gland volume during the first 3 months of life in breast-fed versus iodine-supplemented and iodine-free formula-fed infants
Summary The spontaneous development of thyroid gl and volume ( TGV ) during the first 3 months of life was studied in entirely breast-fed infants ( n = 21 ) and compared to those fed an iodine-supplemented formula ( n = 19 ) , an iodine-free formula ( n = 5 ) , or partially breast-fed in addition to an iodine-free ( n = 4 ) or an iodine-supplemented formula ( n = 16 ) . The TGV of the infants and their mothers was determined sonographically in addition to their urinary iodine concentrations 57 days postpartum and 3 months later . In ten additional lactating mothers the breast milk concentrations of thyroid hormones and iodine were determined . It was shown that at 3 months of age an infant consuming about 1000 ml breast milk per day receives about 2 μg thyroid hormones and 55 μg iodine per day . At the end of their first week of life the infants showed a TGV between 0.28 and 1.5 ml ( median 0.61 ml ) and a urinary iodine concentration between 0.03 and 16.3 μg/dl ( median 3.0 μg/dl ) . At 3 months of age the TGV of the breast-fed infants had decreased by a median of 0.24 ml (= −34 % ; median of percentage changes ) whereas those fed a formula without iodine had increased by a median of 0.26 ml (= + 50 % ; median of percentage changes ) . Those receiving an iodine-supplemented formula  showed a TGV reduction of 0.14 ml (= + 2 % ; median of percentage changes ) . The TGV development of the partially breast-fed infants lay between those being exclusively breast or formula fed . It is concluded that with respect to the development of TGV , breast milk is superior even to the feeding of an iodine-supplemented formula
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 .