What pregnant women need to know

Calls for iodine to be added to salt

Many pregnant women in the UK aren’t getting enough iodine, so scientists are calling for it to be added to salt.

Iodine is essential for foetal brain development. Maternal iodine deficiency is the leading cause of preventable mental impairment worldwide, and there is evidence that even a mild deficiency can reduce a child’s IQ by two or three points. Although research on iodine levels in the UK is patchy, studies have indicated that at least half of expectant mothers are deficient in it, possibly because many avoid iodinerich dairy products. “Iodisation of salt has been done in more than 100 countries,” said Professor John Lazarus, an endocrinologist at Cardiff University medical school. “The UK is one of only 20 or 30 that hasn’t – a national scandal in my opinion.” Mine too!