Prenatal vitamins often lack iodine, study says

Boston, February 26: As high as 49 percent multivitamin supplements touted to prevent the deficiency of iodine, a naturally occurring element critical to normal neurocognitive development, are iodine-deficient themselves, a new American study found.

The results of the study feature in the Feb. 26 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Of the total 223 (127 nonprescription and 96 prescription) prenatal vitamins that are currently available in the United States, the researchers at the Boston University Medical Center randomly picked up 60 brands that listed iodine as an ingredient on their labels.

Interestingly the researchers traced a huge variation in the iodine content stated on the label than what it actually contained. In as many as 13 vitamin brands sampled, the variation was as high as 50 percent, the researchers reported.

In others, the actual levels of iodine were typically below the 150 micrograms per day recommendation issued by the American Thyroid Association (ATA).

Of the 60 multivitamins brands tested, only 28 percent contained the full amount stated on the label, the researchers highlighted.

However, the problem is not that of deceiving, but misinformation. The source of iodine - potassium-iodide, kelp or iodine itself - in this matter holds great importance.

“Products containing iodine from potassium iodide tend to be more consistent, but 150 micrograms of potassium iodide is not the same as 150 micrograms of iodine” study’s lead researcher, Elizabeth Pearce, an assistant professor of medicine at Boston University Medical Center explained. Potassium iodide contained about 76 percent iodine, she emphasized.

Similarly, ‘level of iodine from vitamins with kelp ranged anywhere from 33 to 610 micrograms per daily dose’, she added.

While iodine is essential for an overall well-being of an individual, it is critically important in pregnancy. "Women who are deficient in pregnancy have children often with lower IQs or neurocognitive delays. Iodine deficiency is the leading cause of preventable mental retardation in the world" Pearce marked.

An estimated 2.2 billion people worldwide suffer from iodine deficiency. Besides neurocognitive delays, iodine deficiency can result in deaf-mutism, squint, disorders of stance and gait, stunted growth and goitre.

Table salt, especially the one fortified with iodine is the best source of iodine.