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Iron, iodine and brain development

Two minerals the developing brain depends on.

Published Sources checked 3 sourcesEverstack research teamHow we work

Talk to your pediatrician. This section is education only and does not replace your child's medical care. Doses for children are only quoted from official guidance (AAP, NIH ODS, WHO).

Iodine

In a UK cohort, children of mothers with mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency in pregnancy had lower verbal IQ and reading scores [1]. NIH lists 220 mcg a day as the recommended intake in pregnancy [2].

Iron

The AAP links iron deficiency in infancy with neurodevelopmental effects that may persist [3]. Your pediatrician screens for it.

Sources

  1. Bath et al. 2013, Lancet (ALSPAC). doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)60436-5
  2. NIH ODS, Iodine fact sheet. ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-HealthProfessional/
  3. Baker et al. 2010, Pediatrics (AAP). doi.org/10.1542/peds.2010-2576

DOIs verified against Crossref and official pages checked on 2026-10-15.

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