Administration of iodized oil during pregnancy: a summary of the published evidence.

This brief review of the available studies confirms that the administration of iodized oil before or during pregnancy prevents endemic cretinism and brain damage by correcting iodine deficiency and thyroid function in pregnant women, fetuses, neonates, infants and children. The potential benefits derived from using iodized oil immediately before or during pregnancy greatly outweigh the potential risks in areas of moderate and severe prevalence of iodine-deficiency disorders, where iodized salt is not yet available.