Iodine supplementation for preventing iodine deficiency disorders in children and adolescents.
Ines Velasco, Mikel Rueda-Etxebarria, Maria Angelica Trak-Fellermeier et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of iodine supplementation on preventing iodine deficiency disorders in children and adolescents, including 2528 participants across eight randomized controlled trials. The findings indicate that iodine supplementation likely leads to a significant reduction in hypothyroidism (risk ratio 0.03) and all-cause mortality in infants (risk ratio 0.32), while showing a slight increase in cognitive function (standardized mean difference 0.19).
Key findings
- Iodine supplementation likely reduces hypothyroidism compared to placebo (risk ratio 0.03).
- Iodine supplementation likely reduces all-cause mortality in infants compared to placebo (risk ratio 0.32).
- Iodine supplementation results in a slight increase in cognitive function compared to placebo (standardized mean difference 0.19).
- No adverse events related to iodine supplementation were reported.
Why it matters
Iodine deficiency can lead to serious health issues in children, including cognitive impairment and increased mortality. Understanding the benefits of iodine supplementation is crucial for preventing these outcomes and promoting healthy development.