Intake of iodine in a sample of UK mother–infant pairs, 6–12 months after birth

A cross-sectional study

Bibliographic Data

ID15094386
AuthorsJo Pearce (0000-0002-3506-0877, Sheffield Hallam University, corresponding author), J C Christian (Sheffield Hallam University), Jenny Christian (Sheffield Hallam University), Lisa J Coneyworth (University of Nottingham), Lisa Coneyworth (0000-0001-7970-9474, University of Nottingham)
Year2025
Volume28
Issue1
Pagese61-e61
Publication date2025-01-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePublic Health Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1368-9800 • E-ISSN: 1475-2727
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s1368980025000230
PMID40090854
OpenAlexW4408498339
LanguageEN
References cited26

Objective: To investigate the intake of iodine in mother–infant pairs. Design: An exploratory, cross-sectional study. Iodine intake was estimated using Nutritics nutritional analysis software, following 24-h dietary recall. Iodine-rich foods were grouped and compared between those women who met the UK reference nutrient intake (RNI) for iodine (140 μg/d) and those who did not. Setting: Online and telephone questionnaires. Participants: Self-selecting caregivers of infants aged 6–12 months. Results: Ninety-one mother–infant pairs with a mean ( sd ) age of 33·2 (4·1) years and 8·4 (1·3) months, respectively, were included. Most mothers were exclusively breast-feeding (54·9 %). The estimated maternal median iodine intake from food and supplements (median 140·3 μg/d, just meeting the UK RNI for women of reproductive age, but not the World Health Organisation (WHO) or British Dietetic Association (BDA) recommendations for lactating women (250 μg/d and 200 μg/d, respectively). Forty-six (50·5 %) of mothers met the UK RNI. Estimated intakes of fish, eggs, cow’s milk and yoghurt/cream/dairy desserts were significantly greater, whilst intakes of plant-based milk alternative drinks were significantly less in mothers who met the RNI for iodine ( P P Conclusions: Women in the UK may not consume enough iodine to meet the demands of lactation. Guidance on iodine-containing foods, focussed on intake before and during pregnancy and lactation and mandatory fortification of plant-based milk-alternatives could all serve to avoid deficiency

Animal science · Biology · Breast milk · Cross-sectional study · Environmental health · Food frequency questionnaire · Infant formula · Iodine · Iodine deficiency · Medicine · Thyroid Disorders and Treatments · Endocrinology · Pediatrics

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