Assessment of Iodine Nutritional Status of School-Age Children in Kolkata District of West Bengal State in Post-Iodation Scenario.

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the state of iodine nutrition in post-iodation scenario, 3500 children were examined clinically for endemic goitre. Iodine and thiocyanate were measured in 240 urine samples; iodine content in 210 salt samples was measured. Total goitre prevalence was 6.1%. Median urinary iodine level was 21.80 µg/dl, and mean (±SD) urinary thiocyanate was 0.89 ± 0.49 mg/dl. Iodine content of only 11.9% salt samples was below recommended level of 15 ppm, 25.2% was between 15 and 30 ppm and 62.9% was >30 ppm. Iodine deficiency disorders are thus clinically mild public health problem of the studied population; however, they have no biochemical iodine deficiency. Studied population found exposed to thiocyanate load that might be the possible cause for persistence of endemic goitre. People of Kolkata should be advised to eat commonly consumed goitrogenic foods after boiling and decanting the water. Periodical monitoring and evaluation of iodine status should be mandatory.