Iodine deficiency and iodine supplementation in pregnancy and lactation. A literature review

Aim: Iodine is an essential nutrient for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. It has a huge impact on the normal brain development of the foetus and the health of the pregnant woman. During pregnancy and lactation, the need for iodine increases significantly. This review aims to summarize the role of iodine supplementation in addressing these elevated demands and preventing associated health risks.. Materials and Methods: The review is based on the thorough analysis of the materials selected from "PubMed" and "Google Scholar" scientific databases using the following key words: iodine; pregnant; lactation; supplementation. These key words were chosen based on their relevance to the matter of the article. Conclusions: Iodine supplementation is essential for optimal maternal and foetal health. However, comprehensive strategies are needed to address iodine deficiency, including public education on iodine-rich diets, policy initiatives on salt iodisation and minimising exposure to harmful chemicals in the environment. These measures can affect the health of pregnant and lactating women and their children. Moreover, the paper discusses the potential implications of excessive iodine intake, which may lead to thyroid dysfunction. This review underlines the crucial role of interdisciplinary collaboration in ensuring optimal maternal and neonatal health outcomes.