Assessing status of Iodine Deficiency Disorders in Ramanagara District

Abstract

Background Iodine deficiency disorders IDDs constitute a major public health problem in India. Goiter occurring in a large fraction of population gt 10 is said to be due to iodine deficiency rather than any other cause. A community-based cross-sectional study was undertaken in Ramanagara with the aim to track the elimination of IDD. Objective This study was planned to determine the iodine status of school children unexamined for goiter status and excretion median urinary iodine concentration. Methods Goitre was assessed by standard inspection and palpation technique in 2700 school children aged 6-12 years. Spot urine samples of 270 children were collected for estimation of urinary iodine using modified method of San-dell and Kolthoff. Household salt samples of the 540 children from schools were analysed for its iodine content by standard iodometric titration method.Results The overall prevalence of Goiter was found to be 13.1 among children examined. The Median urinary iodine excretion UIE was 78.3microgL. About 98.7 of the salt samples adequately iodized having Iodine content of gt15ppm. Conclusion UIE reflects recent iodine-nutrition at the time of measurement and thyroid size shows iodine nutrition over months or years it can be said that this region can be transformed from iodine-deficient to iodine sufficient zone.