Prenatal Vitamins With Iodine

Consuming adequate amounts of iodine during pregnancy and while breastfeeding is extremely important. Iodine is a mineral essential for proper growth and development in babies. An iodine deficiency can cause developmental delays, mental retardation or stunted growth in babies and hypothyroidism in mothers. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, a significant number of pregnant women in the United States are iodine deficient based on results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, or NHANES, data from 2001 to 2008. Taking a prenatal vitamin that contains iodine can help prevent iodine deficiency in pregnant women and their babies.

Background

Not all prenatal vitamin supplements contain iodine. The National Office of Dietary Supplements estimates that only 51 percent of prenatal vitamins in the United States contain iodine. However, most obstetricians encourage pregnant women to choose a prenatal supplement with iodine due to increased iodine requirements during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Based on the Institute of Medicine's recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, for iodine, adults require 150 mcg of iodine per day, while pregnant women require 220 mcg and nursing women require 290 mcg of iodine per day.

Recommendations

The American Thyroid Association encourages pregnant and nursing women to take a prenatal vitamin supplement that contains at least 150 mcg of iodine per day. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, only an estimated 20 percent of pregnant women and 15 percent of breastfeeding women take a prenatal vitamin that contains iodine. Usually, women can obtain at least part of their daily iodine requirement by eating foods that contain iodine. Iodine-rich foods include seaweed, fish and dairy products such as milk and yogurt.

DHA

Before deciding on an iodine-containing prenatal vitamin, look for one that contains omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA. Not all prenatal vitamin supplements contain omega-3 fatty acids; however, according to the American Pregnancy Association, pregnant and nursing women should consume at least 300 mg of DHA per day. Examples of prenatal vitamins that contain both iodine and DHA in addition to other important nutrients include One A Day Women's Prenatal and CitraNatal vitamins.

Considerations

Always consult with your obstetrician before choosing a prenatal vitamin. Some prenatal vitamins are available only with a prescription. In addition to choosing a prenatal vitamin that contains at least 150 mcg of iodine and 300 mg of DHA, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists notes that other important nutrients during pregnancy include iron, folate, calcium, and vitamins A, C, D, B12 and B6.