Mothers who don't get enough iodine may have children with poor reading and writing skills.

Scientists recommend that adults should supplement with an average of 150mcg of iodine per day, pregnant women with 220mcg of iodine per day, and breastfeeding women with 290mcg of iodine per day.

American scientists conducted a study using data from approximately 228 pregnant women who were patients at the Royal Hobart Hospital in Tasmania and their children. The results showed that women whose iodine intake was insufficient (less than 150 mcg/day) had children with lower scores in grammar and spelling compared to children of women whose iodine intake was sufficient (over 150 mcg/day).

Professor Kristen Hynes, the lead researcher, and her colleagues suspect that iodine deficiency affects children's hearing and brain function, impacting their ability to process information quickly. Children of pregnant women with mild iodine deficiency scored 6-10% lower than children of pregnant women with adequate iodine.

Scientists recommend that adults should supplement their iodine intake by an average of 150 mcg per day, pregnant women by 220 mcg per day, and breastfeeding women by 290 mcg per day. The main sources of iodine are milk, fish, fruits and vegetables, and iodized salt.

According to Health & Life - NT