Pregnancy: iodine tablets protect baby brains

Christiane Fux studied journalism and psychology in Hamburg. The experienced medical editor has been writing magazine articles, news and factual texts on all conceivable health topics since 2001. In addition to her work for, Christiane Fux is also active in prose. Her first crime novel was published in 2012, and she also writes, designs and publishes her own crime plays.

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An iodine deficiency during pregnancy can have serious consequences: it hinders brain development and can reduce the child's intelligence. Iodine deficiency is a common phenomenon in pregnant women.

"We know from careful studies that around 40 percent of all pregnant women have an iodine deficiency," explains Dr. Christian Albring, President of the Professional Association of Gynecologists. The gynecologist fears that these children will not develop their genetically predisposed talents and intelligence throughout their lives.

Lower IQ

A comparison of children who received too little iodine during pregnancy with their peers who were well cared for showed that a lower IQ can still be demonstrated at the age of 5 to 8 years. Even autistic signs were seen more frequently.

As early as the eighth week, the embryo itself produces thyroid hormones. To do this, however, it must be adequately supplied with iodine. The thyroid hormones are necessary for the development of nerve and brain tissue, muscles and bones and for many other functions of the growing organism.

Take iodine tablets early if you want to have children

Women should therefore take iodine tablets as soon as they plan to become pregnant and continue to do so until the end of breastfeeding.

Iodine is added to many salt packs in the supermarket, among other things. "The problem, however, is that it is greatly reduced by the cooking process," explains Dr. Klaus Doubek, gynecologist in Wiesbaden and member of the working group iodine deficiency.

Iodine fertilizer on vegetables?

For a long-term solution to the problem, scientists have come up with an interesting new approach: you could use special iodine fertilizers when growing vegetables. If the iodine is in the vegetables when they are cooked, it is largely retained during preparation.

The aim is to produce plant-based foods that are as rich in iodine as milk or sea fish - also suitable for vegans.

"Until then, we can only urgently recommend all pregnant women to ensure that their babies are supplied with iodine with iodine tablets," warns Albring. "The damage that iodine deficiency causes to a child's brain is irreversible."

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