Researchers studied whether there was an association between mild-to-moderate maternal iodine deficiency and cognitive development of their children.

The study, published in The Lancet, evaluated 1,040 mother-child pairs. Maternal urinary iodine concentration during the first trimester was correlated with the child’s IQ at 8 years, and reading ability at 9 years.

The pregnant women had a median urinary iodine-to-creatinine ratio of 110 mcg/g which classified them as mildly to moderately iodine deficient. (Normal is 220 mcg/g.)

The scientists found that children of women with iodine levels less than 150 mcg/g were more likely to have scores in the lowest quartile for verbal IQ, reading accuracy, and reading comprehension.

Mean IQ was significantly higher in children of women who had a higher iodine concentration during pregnancy.

The data in the United States indicate that nearly 60 percent of U.S. women of childbearing age are iodine deficient.

My own research — thousands of patients — shows that more than 96 percent of patients are iodine deficient.

This is a public health disaster. We need iodine for proper neurological formation. It has been understood for more than 100 years that low maternal iodine levels can lead to a low IQ.

More information about this can be found in my book, "Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It."