Strategies to improve iodine status in early pregnancy. Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Strategies to improve iodine status in early pregnancy.
IRAS ID
285499
Contact name
Jayne Woodside
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 8 months, 8 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
Iodine is required for the body to make thyroid hormones, which are involved in brain development early in life and control metabolic rate throughout life.
Iodine is found in a range of foods, but particularly in dairy products, including cow’s milk. During pregnancy, iodine requirements are increased. There is some evidence that iodine deficiency in the womb negatively affects cognitive ability of the child.
Recent studies have shown mild iodine deficiency in groups of teenage girls surveyed in the UK and Ireland, and in a group of pregnant women surveyed in Northern Ireland.
Some countries have reacted to their nation’s iodine deficiency by adding iodine to salt. Other countries recommend that pregnant women take an iodine supplement and some countries do both. The UK authorities have not recommended either strategy but have asked for more research.
This study aims to work out if education about iodine requirements during pregnancy (BDA fact sheet) along with free supply of cow’s milk will help more pregnant women achieve adequate iodine intake. If this is not enough to improve iodine intake, then the argument to fortify foods with iodine or advise pregnant women to take iodine supplements in the UK is compelling.
We will also talk to women to gather information about the barriers to achieving sufficient iodine intake from dietary source in pregnancy and the best way we can help them.
This study will take place primarily in the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital in Belfast.
Women will be involved in the study from early pregnancy (6-10 weeks) until approximately 6 weeks post-natal. Samples for urinary iodine will be collected at the beginning of the study, after the 12 week intervention, at 29 weeks gestation and again postnatally. One blood sample for thyroid function test will be taken during the participant's booking appointment.Summary of Results
This study exploring the impact of increased dairy product intake on iodine status, measured in urine, during pregnancy, found that women in Northern Ireland were iodine deficient during pregnancy. Although the group randomised to receive a free 12-week supply of milk and/or yoghurt had a greater improvement in their urinary iodine levels they remained iodine deficient. Most women in this study were taking an iodine-containing pregnancy multivitamin. This increased their daily iodine intake but the urine iodine levels still showed iodine deficiency. This highlights the need to consider iodine fortification which is done in many other European countries, America and Australia. This is commonly done by adding iodine to all salt meaning salt used in food manufacturing as well as table salt contains additional iodine and can improve population iodine status.REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
21/NI/0003
Date of REC Opinion
26 Jan 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion