Published in the European Journal of Nutrition, this study assessed iodine status in over 1,500 first-time pregnant women at Cork University Maternity Hospital in Ireland. The researchers found that the average urinary iodine concentration was below the World Health Organization’s recommended level for pregnancy, thus indicating that many women were not meeting the increased iodine requirements vital for a baby’s brain development.
The study highlighted that younger women, those with a higher body mass index (BMI), lower education levels, or those not taking iodine-containing supplements were more likely to be deficient. Seasonal variation also played a role, with iodine levels dropping in the summer months. Despite two-thirds of participants reporting they took pregnancy supplements containing iodine, many still had insufficient levels, which lead researcher Dr. Áine Hennessy described as “particularly concerning.” She emphasized that iodine deficiency remains one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies globally and that public awareness of its role in pregnancy is still lacking.
To learn more about the importance of micronutrients during pregnancy, read parts one and two of the special pregnancy feature article on our website.
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July 11, 2025Study Shows 60 Percent of Pregnant Women Have Signs of Iodine Deficiency
News
A new study by researchers at University College Cork, Ireland, found that 60 percent of pregnant women had suboptimal iodine status, highlighting a need for increased nutritional awareness to support maternal and child health.
[Source: medicalxpress.com]
[Image source: Adobe Stock]
Comment
Published in the European Journal of Nutrition, this study assessed iodine status in over 1,500 first-time pregnant women at Cork University Maternity Hospital in Ireland. The researchers found that the average urinary iodine concentration was below the World Health Organization’s recommended level for pregnancy, thus indicating that many women were not meeting the increased iodine requirements vital for a baby’s brain development.
The study highlighted that younger women, those with a higher body mass index (BMI), lower education levels, or those not taking iodine-containing supplements were more likely to be deficient. Seasonal variation also played a role, with iodine levels dropping in the summer months. Despite two-thirds of participants reporting they took pregnancy supplements containing iodine, many still had insufficient levels, which lead researcher Dr. Áine Hennessy described as “particularly concerning.” She emphasized that iodine deficiency remains one of the most common micronutrient deficiencies globally and that public awareness of its role in pregnancy is still lacking.
To learn more about the importance of micronutrients during pregnancy, read parts one and two of the special pregnancy feature article on our website.
Dr. Rath Health Foundation
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