Abstract
We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of consuming iodine-fortified toddler milk for improving dietary iodine intakes and biochemical iodine status in toddlers. In a 20-week parallel randomised controlled trial, healthy 12-20-month-old children were assigned to: Fortified Milk [n = 45; iodine-fortified (21.1µg iodine/100g prepared drink) cow's milk], or Non-Fortified Milk (n = 90; non-fortified cow's milk). Food and nutrient intakes were assessed with 3-day weighed food records at baseline, and weeks 4 and 20. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was measured at baseline and 20weeks. At baseline, toddlers' median milk intake was 429g/day. There was no evidence that milk intakes changed within or between the groups during the intervention. Toddlers' baseline geometric mean iodine intake was 46.9µg/day, and the median UIC of 43µg/L in the Fortified Milk group and 55µg/L in the Non-Fortified Milk group indicated moderate and mild iodine deficiency, respectively, with this difference due to chance. During the intervention, iodine intakes increased by 136% (p < 0.001) and UIC increased by 85µg/L (p < 0.001) in the Fortified Milk group compared to the Non-Fortified Milk group. The 20-week median UIC was 91µg/L in the Fortified Milk group and 49µg/L in the Non-Fortified Milk group. Consumption of ≈ 1.7 cups of iodine-fortified toddler milk per day for 20weeks can increase dietary iodine intakes and UIC in healthy iodine-deficient toddlers. This strategy alone is unlikely to provide sufficient intake to ensure adequate iodine status in toddlers at risk of mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency.
Published Version
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