Expecting Moms Should Take Prenatal Vitamins With Iodine

Prenatal vitamins are essential in any pregnancy.  They ensure that both the mother and her child receive the nutrients required for a healthy pregnancy and birth.  The branding is generally irrelevant as the list of supplements included in most vitamins is usually similar.

Research recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that pregnant women would benefit from adding iodine to their vitamin intake.  Researchers from the Boston University School of Medicine found that a significant portion of pregnant women suffer from mild iodine deficiency, which can lead to a wide range of complications. These include the development of goitres, pregnancy loss and intellectual impairment.

“Clinicians should recommend only those prenatal vitamins that contain iodine,” suggests Dr. Elizabeth Pearce, author of the study.

However, most prenatal supplement brands do not include iodine.  Pearce suggests expecting mothers should either find a vitamin brand that does include iodine or begin taking a small dosage of separate iodine supplements.  By maintaining a healthy vitamin intake, parents expecting new children will help ensure a healthy birth and a healthy baby.