Health officials in New Zealand say they may consider screening infants for iodine deficiency following a recent Australian study indicating levels of the trace element in the population are low and may have worsened.
A study in the state of Victoria between 2001 and 2006 found that 7% of newborns were deficient in iodine, which is needed for brain and general development of children.
A New Zealand expert in the testing of newborns for congenital abnormalities is talking to research leaders in Australia to find out what they did and whether it could be done in New Zealand.
New Zealanders are considered to be mildly deficient in iodine and the mandatory fortification of some breads was introduced in September last year.
Pregnant women have also been advised to take iodine supplements since July this year.
Studies are now under way to determine what effect those moves have had and to monitor iodine levels in children.
The Food Safety Authority says it will look at the effect of iodine fortification in bread before considering whether it needs to be added to other foods.
