Iodine deficiency results in insufficient production of thyroid hormones, an enlarged thyroid gland (i.e., goiter), and hypothyroidism. Iodine deficiency in an infant or young child can lead to neonatal hypothyroidism, a condition marked by severe stunting of physical and mental development. If the deficiency occurs during the prenatal period, the condition is called congenital hypothyroidism. Research shows that children born to mothers who are iodine deficient are more likely to experience lower verbal and reading scores at 8 to 9 years old (Leung et al., 2014).