Iodine Deficiency amongst School Age Children in Pauri District of Uttarakhand, India
Neha Sareen *
The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.
Umesh Kapil
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi, India.
Vanisha S. Nambiar
The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objectives: To assess the status of iodine deficiency amongst school age children (6-12 years) in district Pauri, Uttarakhand.
Methods: Thirty clusters were selected by utilizing the population proportionate to size (PPS) cluster sampling methodology. A total of 2067 children in the age group of 6-12 years were included. The clinical examination of the thyroid of each child was conducted. “On the spot” urine and salt samples were collected from children.
Results: The Total Goiter Rate (TGR) was found to be 16.8%. The proportion of children with Urinary Iodine Concentration (UIC) level <20, 20-49, 50-99, 100-199 and ≥200 µg/l was found to be nil, 25.3, 17.2, 34.0 and 23.5 percent, respectively. The median UIC level was 115 µg/l. Only 40.4% of the salt samples had stipulated level of iodine of 15 ppm and more.
Conclusions: Findings of the present study indicates that the population is possibly in transition phase from iodine deficient as revealed by TGR of 16.8% to iodine sufficient as revealed by median UIC level of 115 µg/l. There is a need to further strengthen the existing monitoring system for the quality of iodized salt in the district in order to achieve the elimination of IDD.