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Iodine and the Body

 

Pregnancy

 

Allen

 

Multiple micronutrients in pregnancy and lactation: an overview.

Allen LH.

Am J Clin Nutr. 2005 May;81(5):1206S-1212S. Review.

 

"This overview of multiple micronutrients during pregnancy and lactation emphasizes 2 relatively neglected issues. The first is that maternal micronutrient status in the periconceptional period, and throughout pregnancy and lactation, should be viewed as a continuum; too often these 3 stages are treated and discussed separately from both a scientific and a public health perspective. Iron and vitamin B-12 are included as examples to stress how status at conception affects maternal, fetal, and infant status and health until the child is weaned. The second issue is that while most attention has been focused on a few micronutrients, for example iron and folate as discussed elsewhere in this Supplement, multiple micronutrient deficiencies occur simultaneously when diets are poor. Some of these deserve more attention as causes of poor pregnancy outcome, including other B vitamin deficiencies that result in homocysteinemia, antioxidants, vitamin D, and iodine. In lactation, maternal status or intake of the B vitamins (except folate), vitamin A, selenium and iodine strongly affect the amount of these nutrients secreted in breast milk. This can result in the infant consuming substantially less than the recommended amounts and further depleting stores that were low at birth. While the optimal mode of meeting recommended micronutrient intakes is an adequate diet, in some situations supplementation is also important. Unfortunately, information is lacking on the optimal formulation of micronutrient supplements for pregnant women, and the need to continue these supplements during lactation is not recognized in many situations where maternal and infant health could benefit."

 

 

Maternal micronutrient malnutrition: effects on breast milk and infant nutrition, and priorities for intervention.

Allen LH.

SCN News. 1994;(11):21-4.

[abstract only]

 

"Lactating women are more likely to experience micronutrient deficiencies than a shortage of dietary energy or protein. Micronutrient deficiencies are also more likely to affect breastmilk composition and the development and nutritional status of breastfeeding infants. Dietary interventions or supplementation can increase the secretion of many of these nutrients in breast milk and improve infant nutritional status. The author offers a table summarizing how maternal deficiency of specific micronutrients affects their concentration in breast milk, reported subsequent effects on nursing infants, and the effects of maternal supplementation on the concentration of the nutrient in breast milk and on infant function. In general, milk composition is most affected by the maternal intake of water-soluble vitamins, less influenced by the intake of fat-soluble vitamins, and relatively unaffected by maternal mineral intake or status. This brief review summarizes current knowledge on the importance of maternal micronutrient status during lactation and suggests priorities for assessing and intervening with specific nutrients. Priorities for maternal micronutrient supplementation during lactation are first suggested and policy implications considered. The author reminds that the prevalence of deficiencies needs to be further documented in specific regions and as a result of specific dietary patterns. Moreover, where the opportunity exists, the effect of dietary and supplement interventions on maternal and infant outcomes should be evaluated systematically in order to increase knowledge in the area. "
 
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