Iodine is among the body’s essential trace elements. The recommended intake of iodine is 150 micrograms daily (200 micrograms daily in pregnant and breastfeeding women); in children the recommended intake of iodine is 50 micrograms daily for infants under 1 year, 90 micrograms daily for children aged 2–6 years, and 120 micrograms daily for children aged 7–12 years. Deficiency causes endemic goitre and results in endemic cretinism (characterized by deaf-mutism, intellectual deficit, spasticity and sometimes hypothyroidism), impaired mental function in children and adults and an increased incidence of still-births and perinatal and infant mortality. Iodine and iodides may suppress neonatal thyroid function and in general iodine compounds should be avoided in pregnancy. Where it is essential to prevent neonatal goitre and cretinism, iodine should not be witheld from pregnant women. Control of iodine deficiency largely depends upon salt iodization with potassium iodide or potassium iodate and through dietary diversification. In areas where iodine deficiency disorders are moderate to severe, iodized oil given either before or at any stage of pregnancy is found to be beneficial.
Oily injection (Solution for injection), iodine (as iodized oil) 480 mg/ml. 0.5-ml ampoule, 1-ml ampoule
| Note. |
Iodized oil may also be given by mouth |
Uses:
prevention and treatment of iodine deficiency
Contraindications:
breastfeeding (Appendix 3)
Precautions:
over 45 years old or with nodular goitre (especially susceptible to hyperthyroidism when given iodine supplements—iodized oil may not be appropriate); may interfere with thyroid-function tests; pregnancy (see notes above and Appendix 2)
Dosage:
Endemic moderate to severe iodine deficiency, by intramuscular injection , ADULT women of child-bearing age, including any stage of pregnancy, 480 mg once each year; by mouth , ADULT during pregnancy and one year postpartum, 300–480 mg once a year or 100–300 mg every 6 months; women of child-bearing age, 400–960 mg once a year or 200–480 mg every 6 months
Iodine deficiency, by intramuscular injection , INFANT up to 1 year, 190 mg; CHILD and ADULT 380 mg (aged over 45 years or with nodular goitre, 76 mg but see also Precautions) (provides up to 3 years protection)
Iodine deficiency, by mouth , ADULT (except during pregnancy) and CHILD above 6 years, 400 mg once a year; ADULT during pregnancy, single dose of 200 mg; INFANT under 1 year, single dose of 100 mg; CHILD 1–5 years, 200 mg once a year
Adverse effects:
hypersensitivity reactions; goitre and hypothyroidism; hyperthyroidism
Tags:
breastfeeding women,
goitre,
hyperthyroidism,
hypothyroidism,
Iodine,
iodine deficiency disorders,
iodine supplements,
iodized oil,
mineral,
minerals,
neonatal thyroid function,
potassium iodate,
potassium iodide,
salt iodization
