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Iodine Deficiency In Pregnancy Tied to Kids'Poor Test Scores.
Iodine is a trace mineral and essential component of the thyroid hormones triidothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), and is therefore required for normal thyroid function.
These hormones also help regulate metabolism and are important for proper bone and brain development in infants, especially during pregnancy.
According to data from the National Health Examination and Nutrition Survey (NHANES 2005-2008), more than 50% of pregnant women surveyed were considered iodine insufficient.
And according to a new study conducted in Australia, mothers who are mildly iodine deficient are more likely to have children who perform poorly in spelling, grammar and literacy.
In this study, researchers compared the standardized test scores of nine year old children born to women who's urinary iodine levels indicated a mild deficiency during pregnancy to the children of women whose iodine levels were considered sufficient.
The children of women who were iodine deficient scored significantly worse in the areas of spelling and grammar and scored about 6% lower on English literacy scores compared to children of women with sufficient levels of iodine while pregnant.
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