IODINE CONTENT OF INFANT FORMULAS AND IODINE INTAKE OF PREMATURE BABIES - HIGH-RISK OF IODINE DEFICIENCY

As part of a study of thyroid function in premature babies, the iodine content of their mothers' breast milk, that of 32 formulas from diffe rent brands used in Spain, and that of 127 formulas used in other coun tries was determined. Breast milk contained more iodine - mean (SEM) 1 0 (1) mu g/dl - than most of the formulas, especially those for premat ure babies. Iodine intakes were therefore below the recommended daily amount for newborns: babies of 27-30 gestational age took 3.1 (1.1) mu g/day at 5 days of age and 29.8 (2.7) mu g by 2 months of age. This p roblem is not exclusive to Spanish premature babies as the iodine cont ent of many of the formulas on sale in other countries was also inadeq uate. It is concluded that preterm infants who are formula fed are at high risk of iodine deficiency.