title: Iodine deficiency, pollutant chemicals, and the thyroid: new information on an old problem.
abstract: Many women of reproductive age in the United States are marginally iodine deficient, perhaps because the salt in processed foods is not iodized. Iodine deficiency, per se, can interfere with normal brain development in their offspring; in addition, it increases vulnerability to the effects of certain environmental pollutants, such as nitrate, thiocyanate, and perchlorate. Although pregnant and lactating women should take a supplement containing adequate iodide, only about 15% do so. Such supplements, however, may not contain enough iodide and may not be labeled accurately. The American Thyroid Association recommends that pregnant and lactating women take a supplement with adequate iodide. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pregnant and lactating women also avoid exposure to excess nitrate, which would usually occur from contaminated well water, and thiocyanate, which is in cigarette smoke. Perchlorate is currently a candidate for regulation as a water pollutant. The Environmental Protection Agency should proceed with appropriate regulation, and the Food and Drug Administration should address the mislabeling of the iodine content of prenatal/lactation supplements.
authors.forename: Walter J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Rogan
authors.forename: Jerome A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Paulson
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baum
authors.forename: Alice C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Brock-Utne
authors.forename: Heather L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Brumberg
authors.forename: Carla C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Bruce P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Lanphear
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lowry
authors.forename: Kevin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Osterhoudt
authors.forename: Megan T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Sandel
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spanier
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Trasande
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007455:Iodine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000172:deficiency*; D009566:Nitrates / Q000633:toxicity; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D010472:Perchlorates / Q000633:toxicity; D011247:Pregnancy; D013861:Thiocyanates / Q000633:toxicity; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D009566:Nitrates; D010472:Perchlorates; D013861:Thiocyanates; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D014873:Water Pollutants; D007455:Iodine; C031760:thiocyanate; C494474:perchlorate