Excess Iodine Ingestion During Pregnancy Can Be Harmful To Children

Expectant mothers who take more than the recommended daily dose of iodine put their unborn children at risk of developing congenital hypothyroidism, according to a U.S. study. If left untreated, congenital hypothyroidism – or thyroid hormone deficiency – can cause neuro-cognitive impairments in infants and children. The recommended daily intake of iodine for expectant mothers is 200 – 300 micrograms (µg). But in three cases of infant hypothyroidism the researchers examined, the mothers had ingested 12.5 mg of iodine daily, or 11 times more than the safe upper limit of 1,100 µg. Sources of iodine include nutritional supplements, prenatal vitamins and seaweed.