Effects of oral iodine supplementation in very low birth weight preterm infants for the prevention of thyroid function alterations during the neonatal period: results of a randomised assessor-blinded pilot trial and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months

The trace element iodine (I) is essential for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Parenteral nutrition solutions, formula milk, and human breast milk contain insufficient iodine to meet recommended intake for preterm infants. Iodine deficiency may affect thyroid function and may be associated with morbidity or neurological outcomes. The primary objective is to assess the evidence that dietary supplementation with iodine affects thyroid function during the neonatal period. The design was a randomised controlled pilot trial. Infants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled through consecutive sampling and assigned to two different groups. The setting was a Spanish university hospital. Ninety-four patients with very low birth weight (under 1500 g) were included. Intervention group: 30 µg I/kg/day of iodine in oral drops given to 47 infants from their first day of life until hospital discharge. Control group: 47 infants without supplements. Formula and maternal milk samples for the determination of iodine content were collected at 1, 7, 15, 21, 30 days, and at discharge. Blood samples were collected for thyroid hormones. Neurological development was assessed at 2 years of age (Bayley III Test). Infants in the supplemented group reached the recommended levels from the first days of life. The researchers detected the effects of iodine balance on the plasma levels of thyroid hormones measured during the first 12 weeks of age. The trial assessed the impact of the intervention on neurodevelopmental morbidity. Conclusion : Thyroid function is related to iodine intake in preterm infants. Therefore, supplements should be added if iodine intake is found to be inadequate. The analyses found no effects of iodine supplementation on the composite scores for Bayley-III assessments in all major domains. The study results indicate potentially important effects on language development related to low iodine excretion during the first 4 weeks of life What is Known: • Thyroid function is related to iodine intake in preterm infants. • Preterm babies on formula preparations and with exclusive parenteral nutrition are at high risk of iodine deficiency. What is New: • Iodine intake should be monitored during the neonatal period. • Iodine supplements should be added if iodine intake is found to be inadequate.