Thus , regardless of study design , iodine deficiency had a substantial impact on mental development .
Several review s and meta-analyses have examined the effects of iodine on mental development .
None focused on young children , so they were incomplete in summarizing the effects on this important age group .
The current systematic review therefore examined the relationship between iodine and mental development of children 5 years old and under .
FETAL IODINE DEFICIENCY AND MOTOR PERFORMANCE DURING CHILDHOOD
Motor performance of children born to mothers living in an iodine-deficient region was assessed . The mothers were participants in a controlled trial of intramuscular iodised oil in the prevention of endemic cretinism carried out in the Western Highl and s of Papua New Guinea . Mothers received either iodised oil or placebo saline . Children born to mothers given iodine were significantly faster and more accurate in tests of manual function than children from control mothers . The findings indicate that iodine deficiency may lead to a spectrum of sub clinical deficits which place the children at a developmental disadvantage
Thus , regardless of study design , iodine deficiency had a substantial impact on mental development .
Several review s and meta-analyses have examined the effects of iodine on mental development .
None focused on young children , so they were incomplete in summarizing the effects on this important age group .
The current systematic review therefore examined the relationship between iodine and mental development of children 5 years old and under .