It is important for pregnant women to have iodine as it helps boost babies’ brain power. Iodine helps brain development of child particularly in the womb and in the first months. Therefore, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should be encouraged to take supplements of iodine.

The findings published in the journal Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology said that in the UK, food is not fortified with iodine and the NHS does not recommend its supplements. Experts have affirmed that if the NHS boosts iodine levels of pregnant women then it would save £200 per woman in health costs.

In a year, 700,000 births in England and Wales take place. When the aspect of iodine benefits with regard to intelligence is considered for the society, it would be £4,500 per child over their lifetime.

Study’s lead author Kate Jolly, from the University of Birmingham, was of the view that the due to iodine deficiency in 1930s and 1940s, thousands have suffered goiter.

“It's time for all women living in iodine-deficient countries without universal supplementation of iodine, who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy to be advised to take a daily supplement containing iodine”, said Jolly, who also told that even mild iodine deficiency during pregnancy can be linked with child’s lower IQ level.

Those women who take iodine supplements before and during pregnancy are likely to have children having higher IQ and good health. This in turn saves a lot of money of health care systems and society.