Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Nutrition — The Thousand Day Window of Opportunity

Why should all plant-based milks be avoided in infants?

Thank you for your question. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended against the use of plant-based milks for the first year of life. Liquids, non-dairy “milks,” based on plant foods (e.g., soy, rice, almond, or hemp) should not be used as a human milk or infant formula substitute. The caloric density of these products is typically lower than that of human milk or infant formula; protein quality is low and the protein quantity is low for most such beverages; products may not be fortified with micronutrients to levels recommended for infants and young children; and some contain high levels of phytate, which bind iron, zinc, and calcium. Use of such alternative fluids as a major component of the diet has been associated with severe protein energy malnutrition and with growth faltering. Plant-based milks should not be confused with soy-based formula, which may be appropriate for use in infants (up to 12 months of age) with galactosemia and hereditary lactase deficiency.

What is the research basis for the need for iodine supplementation during pregnancy? The question is regarding the accuracy of estimations of iodine consumption assuming much iodine in the US is from iodized salt.

Thank you for this important question. Iodine is an element that is needed for the production of thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone helps the body use energy, stay warm and keep the brain, heart, muscles, and other organs working as they should. The body does not make iodine, so it is an essential part of the diet. During pregnancy, both the mother and the baby produce their own thyroid hormones, but the baby is dependent on the mother for adequate ingestion of iodine. The fortification of salt with iodine in the U.S. is voluntary. This means not all salt in the U.S. is fortified with iodine. It is estimated that about 53% of table salt sold in the US is iodized, and table salt accounts for only 11% of the daily intake of salt. The majority of salt intake in the U.S. diet comes from processed foods, where the vast majority is not iodized. The primary sources of iodine in the U.S. diet include dairy products, eggs and breads, but iodine concentrations are variable. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for iodine in adult men and women is 150 μg per day and higher for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding at 220ug. In the U.S., one teaspoon of iodized salt contains approximately 250 μg iodine. Most U.S. iodine-containing multivitamins marketed for non-pregnant adults have at least 150 μg iodine, but only about 60% of prenatal multivitamins in the U.S. contain iodine. Additionally, less than 1 in 5 women take a prenatal vitamin containing iodine during pregnancy. Because the effects of iodine deficiency are most severe in pregnant women and their babies, the American Thyroid Association has recommended that all U.S. women who are planning pregnancy, pregnant, or breastfeeding take a prenatal multivitamin containing 150 μg iodine per day. For more information on iodine deficiency and iodine supplementation recommendations, please refer to https://www.thyroid.org/iodine-deficiency/