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 deficient. 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 deficient. Methods: A total of 770 children were screened for urinary iodine estimation and estimation of the iodine in salt. A general profile and various micro-environmental factors, such as socio-economic status, sanitary status, personal hygiene, and goitrogen intake, were also studied. Selected deficient children were supplemented with an iodine solution. Results: The results of urinary iodine excretion revealed that 44.7% of the children suffered from iodine deficiency. Iodized salt was consumed by 92% of the families. The total goitre rate was 35.2% in the studied population. Significant differences were found in the socio-economic status, housing and sanitary conditions of the families of deficient and non-deficient children. The dietary intake pattern revealed that the diet of the children was low in calories, iodine and g -carotene. The supplementation of 112 mg of iodine to the experimental group over 10 weeks significantly decreased the deficiency. The analysis of the results showed that for iodine-deficient children the concentration of iodine in salt should be 60 ppm. Conclusion: The micro-environment plays an important role in iodine deficiency disorders. The deficient 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 deficiency disorders.