Iodine supplementation in pregnancy and breastfeeding: a New Zealand survey of user awareness.

Iodine deficiency is likely to be common in New Zealand (NZ) as a consequence of low soil iodine levels a decline in the use of iodized salt and a decline in the practice of washing milk storage vats with iodine containing cleaning agents. Iodine levels fall during pregnancy and recent New Zealand surveys have confirmed high rates of iodine deficiency in pregnant women and amongst breast fed children. Iodine is a prerequisite for the synthesis of thyroid hormone. Therefore maternal hypothyroidism which is clearly associated with neurological defects in the fetus may result from low maternal iodine levels. Controlled interventional studies to delineate the effect of iodine deficiency are lacking although numerous international case controlled studies support the notion that iodine supplementation in areas of endemic iodine deficiency is associated with improved childhood developmental performance. Thus many countries now recommend the routine supplementation of iodine during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding although specific recommendations differ. In 2010 the New Zealand Ministry of Health provided a series of recommendations on the use of iodine supplementation by these groups. The authors intend to study general awareness of these recommendations amongst healthcare workers and non-healthcare worker groups. [excerpt]