Iodine Deficiency amongst School Age Children in Pauri District of Uttarakhand, India

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.