Abstract
This study assesses the status of iodine deficiency among at risk-children and adolescents living in migrant settlements in the Kyrgyz Republic. Children aged 7–15 years from two regional primary schools in the new settlement regions were screened for cognitive and behavioural signs of iodine deficiency using questionnaires. The functional state of the thyroid gland was assessed using ultrasonography and blood tests. Out of 1058 schoolchildren, 15.8% showed signs of iodine deficiency. Female children aged 10–12 years showed a higher prevalence of iodine deficiency. The families of schoolchildren reported limited use of seafood and iodised salt. Children in the migrant regions were at risk of iodine deficiency disorder. Among children, clinical manifestations of iodine deficiency were observed as negative hormonal levels or the presence of goitre. Further investigation on standardised screening instruments for iodine deficiency and the relationship among multilevel analyses are warranted.
Highlights
Children aged 10–12 years had the highest prevalence of goitre, resulting that this age group was the most at risk for goitre
A higher prevalence rate was observed among the girls, which is consistent with the findings of a study in South Tajikistan [10]
Children in this study reported increased fatigue, decreased concentration and attention, and decreased memory and school performance across all age groups; when we examined children with enlarged thyroids, they showed age-normal ranges of ultrasonography results and hormonal levels
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Micronutrient deficiencies, including that of iodine, iron, and vitamins, have been a growing health issue among children and adolescents worldwide. Iodine deficiency remains a health concern, even though international collaborative approaches such as food fortification and supplementation have been successfully implemented globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately. 1.88 billion of the world’s population are at risk of iodine deficiency. It is the most common and, coincidentally, the only preventable cause of intellectual disability [1].
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