Micro-environment and the Iodine Status of Children: an Intervention Study

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the iodine status of 10‐12-year-old children, studying the role of environmental factors and the effect of iodine supplementation on those who were deecient. Design: Population survey of 10 randomly selected schools, with a placebo-controlled intervention study of the administration of iodine supplements to those found to be deecient. Methods: A total of 770 children were screened for urinary iodine estimation and estimation of the iodine in salt. A general proele and various micro-environmental factors, such as socio-economic status, sanitary status, personal hygiene, and goitrogen intake, were also studied. Selected deecient children were supplemented with an iodine solution. Results: The results of urinary iodine excretion revealed that 44.7% of the children suffered from iodine deeciency. Iodized salt was consumed by 92% of the families. The total goitre rate was 35.2% in the studied population. Signiecant differences were found in the socio-economic status, housing and sanitary conditions of the families of deecient and non-deecient children. The dietary intake pattern revealed that the diet of the children was low in calories, iodine and b -carotene. The supplementation of 112 mg of iodine to the experimental group over 10 weeks signiecantly decreased the deeciency. The analysis of the results showed that for iodine-deecient children the concentration of iodine in salt should be 60 ppm. Conclusion: The micro-environment plays an important role in iodine deeciency disorders. The deecient children in the area required a therapeutic dose of iodine to improve their low iodine status. The study urges the need for intervention to control iodine deeciency disorders.