Pregnant and breast feeding mothers

The iodine supplementation of pregnant and breast feeding mothers is of outstanding importance. The iodine defficiency can cause disfunctions of the development of the phoetal nervous and immune system, and metabolism already in the very early stages of preganacy. In case of insufficient iodine intake both the mother and newborn have an increased risk level of struma formation.
Expectant mothers' iodine requiremet is increased due to the thyroid stimulation and the increased iodine secretion. In case of serious iodine deficiency the frequency of spontanious abortions, premature births and neonatal mortality is higher.
Breast feeding mothers's iodine intake is also importnat, because during breast feeding the iodine content of the mother's milk covers the baby's iodine requirement. So the regular iodine supplementation should be started well before family planning.
The daily iodine requirement of a pregnant and breast-feeding mothers is 250 microgramm.